like milk, to the strong youths like bread, to the old men like
honey, to the sick like barley steeped in oil and honey. [99]

As miraculous as the taste of manna was it descent from heaven.
First came a north wind to sweep the floor of the desert; then a rain
to wash it quite clean; then dew descended upon it, which was
congealed into a solid substance by the wind, that it might serve as
a table for the heaven-descending gold. [100] But, that no insects
or vermin might settle on the manna, the frozen dew formed not
only a tablecloth, but also a cover for the manna, so that it lay
enclosed there as in a casket, protected from soiling or pollution
above and below.

THE GATHERING OF THE MANNA

With an easy mind every individual might perform his morning
prayer in his house and recite the Shema', then betake himself to
the entrance of his tent, and gather manna for himself and all his
family. [101] The gathering of manna caused little trouble, and
those among the people who were too lazy to perform even the
slightest work, went out while manna fell, so that it fell straight
into their hands. [102] The manna lasted until the fourth hour of
the day, when it melted; but even the melted manna was not
wasted, for out of it formed the rivers, from which the pious will
drink in the hereafter. The heathen even then attempted to drink
out of these streams, but the manna that tasted so deliciously to the
Jews, had a quite bitter taste in the mouth of the heathen. Only
indirectly could they partake of the enjoyment of manna: They
used to catch the animals that drank the melted manna, and even it
this form it was so delicious that the heathen cried, "Happy is the