The narrative regarding the asafsuf is vexing. As mentioned previously, Bnei Yisrael lacked no food. Chazal teach that the manna, which descended daily, had an amazing quality. Its taste varied in accordance to each person’s desire. Indeed, each individual’s craving was satisfied. Nonetheless, Bnei Yisrael cried out for meat. Their ingratitude was magnified when they expressed their desire to return to the “wonderful” Egypt.
Moshe’s response also seems atypical. When Bnei Yisrael sinned with the Golden Calf, Moshe entreated Hashem on their behalf. He exhausted every effort to save them from complete destruction. In this situation, Moshe “gave up” in frustration, contending that the burden of Klal Yisrael was too much. Moshe, whose patience and tolerance level with Klal Yisrael was so remarkable seemed to have suddenly surrendered in defeat.
We may suggest the following response. Prior to Moshe’s reaction to Bnei Yisrael’s avaricious complaining, the Torah states, “And Moshe heard the people weeping in their families.” Rashi interprets “in their families” to mean that they complained about the Torah‘s restriction of certain family relationships which were now considered incestuous.
Horav Yitzchok Blazar z.l. suggests another interpretation for this “weeping in their families.” Bnei Yisrael complained about the manna’s not leaving space for individual “family” uniqueness. Each one felt his family pedigree or personal family wealth rendered him deserving of a greater portion than that of his neighbor. The people could not tolerate the manna’s lack of distinction between families of wealth, nobility and importance. They demanded a food which would not be so “objective” in its delivery. Such an egotistical and immature attitude reached the heights of ingratitude and threatened Moshe’s tolerance level.
We may advance this thought. They did not complain merely because they felt that their individual family status mandated that they receive more manna. They would have acquiesced to whatever they had received, as long as their neighbor had received less than they. They could not “fargin,” forgive, that someone else also received as much as they did. Some people, regardless of their own success, do not recognize the achievements of others — or permit others to enjoy the fruits of their accomplishments.
Such a reprehensible attitude on the part of a Jew is not tolerable. Hence, Moshe raised up his hands to Hashem in surrender. As long as there is unity among Bnei Yisrael, we will thrive as a nation. When harmony gives way to discord, and friendship gives way to paranoiac envy, the spiritual fibre of Klal Yisrael begins to shred. Without its spiritual dimension, Klal Yisrael is not Klal Yisrael!
