Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi Shemuel Akhamzadeh
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We remember the fish that we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. Bamidbar 11,5
Let’s remember the above verse is said in regards to the generation that Hashem handpicked to receive the Torah, the generation that our sages call דור דעה, a generation of knowledge and wisdom. The Elder of Slabodka asks, “What caused them to complain for a slice of melon or a piece of meat?†The question is even more significant considering they had the Manna, a heavy food that was infused with special kedusha and tasted like anything that they would want.
He answers the questions as follows: One who reaches a certain level of spirituality in his service of Hashem when even his mundane deeds are a service of Hashem. This person has taken the mundane and has upgraded it to the level of Kedusha. This is the type of service that the people desired and complained about when they were longing for melons and onions. They could not take the Manna and make it spiritual… so why were punished for this even though they wanted to serve Hashem on an even higher realm. Because even in spirituality one is not supposed to desire ( and complain for) more than what Hashem has provided him. Now it’s time to serve with Manna. If one is not satisfied with his place, what is the guarantee that he will be in the next level?
Shabbat Shalom.