Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi Avraham Moeinzadeh
“Mon” is the symbol of providence of the creator over every individual. Although all of Bnei Yisrael were equal in the amount and quality of the Mon they would get, each individual had his own unique experience in finding and consuming it. As we know, those with greater levels of righteousness had an easier time finding their portion than those who were on a lower level. Also, people with different desires would taste different flavors in the Mon.
Ketav Sofer suggests that this is the reason why the name “Mon” was given to this heavenly meal. The Torah tells us the word “Mon” in Hebrew is equivalent to the English interrogative pronoun of “what.” Therefore, it would make sense to choose a different name since Moshe Rabeinu had explained to them what exactly the Mon was. The Ketav Sofer explains that Bnei Yisrael chose this name to emphasize a point. With Mon one could never figure out what others were tasting even though everyone was eating the same food. “This is the real Kavod of the Almighty.” He continues, “when his creatures experience his Hashgacha Pratit (individual divine providence) so clearly.” The Jewish people had the privilege to live with such a clear image of individual divine providence for over forty years.
Chachamim (mechilta) tell us that the consumers of Mon were those who acquired the Torah to their full potential and it is as if the Torah was given primarily to them. Perhaps one can explain based on Ketav Sofer’s commentary that the prerequisite to acquiring the real Daat Torah is training our eyes to see the Hashgacha Pratit in every step of our lives and realize Hashem’s glory that fills the entire world.