When a Jew cries out “Daloi galus! (Enough with exile!)” and “Moshiach now!” – were he simply to want it sincerely it would be fulfilled at once, without any delay (and there is no need to wait even the short duration described in the verse, “His word runs swiftly”), being that the redemption is already here in the world and a Jew must simply reveal it! * The lesson of the mahn.
Translated by Boruch Merkur
AS WITH THE FLAVOR OF THE MAHN, YOUR WILL IS DONE
The miraculous provision of mahn teaches that, in each generation, every Jew has the capacity to receive his livelihood and all his necessities – an abundance in the areas of family, health, and sustenance – in a manner of “bread from the heavens,” provided by the “one leader of the generation.” [In the merit of Moshe Rabbeinu, the Jews were able to survive in the desert for forty years, living off of mahn, miraculous “bread [that fell] from the heavens.”] The Torah describes how G-d commanded the Jewish people to preserve a “jar of mahn,” “as a safekeeping for generations” (Shlach 16:32).
As with all concepts discussed in the Torah, a lesson can be derived from the mahn that is relevant to all generations. The miraculous provision of mahn teaches that, in each generation, every Jew has the capacity to receive his livelihood and all his necessities – an abundance in the areas of family, health, and sustenance – in a manner of “bread from the heavens,” provided for him by the “one leader of the generation” (Sanhedrin 8a, quoted in Rashi’s commentary on the Torah, VaYeilech 31:7). This is true both with regard to the necessities of life as well as things intended for enjoyment.
Moreover, the Jewish people have the power to fulfill their heart’s desires simply by willing it, as learned from the mahn. (“It had in it [the taste] of all the flavors [imaginable], and every Jew would taste in it all that he so desired, etc. He didn’t have to articulate it verbally but just think of it in his heart. He would simply express [in thought] what his soul craves, and G-d would fulfill his wish, and the person would enjoy the desired taste” ––Shmos Rabba 25:3.) There is no need for a Jew to even wait for his wish to be granted; it is already apparent in the world. All that is required to reveal it [to realize one’s heart’s desire] is to genuinely want it. [G-d surely acquiesces and provides the Jew with his heart’s desire, for] the true will of a Jew is indeed the will of the Creator (in accordance with the ruling of Rambam in Laws of Divorce Ch. 2, end).
TO GENUINELY WANT MOSHIACH NOW
The above concept also has a timely application. Namely, when a Jew wishes for [the end of the exile – crying out] “Daloi galus! (Enough with exile!)” and “Moshiach now!” – were he simply to want it sincerely, it would be fulfilled at once. There wouldn’t even be a delay of time (and there is no need to wait even the short duration described in the verse, “His word runs swiftly” ––T’hillim 147:15), being that the redemption is already here in the world and a Jew must simply reveal it!
Even during the time of exile, it is important to know that since the Torah commands us to keep the mahn “as a safekeeping for generations,” therefore the “jar of mahn” still exists in the physical world (just as it was after the mahn stopped falling at the end of the forty years in the desert, when the Jewish people entered the Holy Land to settle it). It is especially vital to know this after the destruction of the First Temple, when the “jar of mahn” was hidden away (Yoma 52b, Rambam Laws of Beis HaBechira Ch. 4, beg.) (along with the other holy artifacts).
Now a Jew must summon the faith that wherever he may be, there is the existence of the “jar of mahn” albeit concealed. Indeed, faith is presently required, for its existence is not visibly apparent (as it was in the time of Yirmiyahu, for example ––see Yirmiyahu 2:31). Faith in the existence of the mahn empowers every individual to receive all of his livelihood and all of his necessities [miraculously] in a manner of “bread from the heavens.” Making this a reality simply depends upon [harnessing] one’s true will.
In fact, since today it is impossible to openly see the “jar of mahn,” which is in “safekeeping for generations,” this itself must serve as a catalyst to further speed up the time when the Torah’s commandment of preserving the mahn “as a safekeeping for generations” shall be fulfilled in a revealed way, with the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu. May he come and redeem us and take us upright to our land.
(From the address of Shabbos Parshas B’Chukosai 5746, bilti muga)