When the imminent destruction of the Temple was announced to
King Josiah, he concealed the Holy Ark, and with it also the vessel
with manna, as well as the jug filled with sacred oil, which was
used by Moses for anointing the sacred implements, and other
sacred objects. In the Messianic time the prophet Elijah will
restore all these concealed objects. [112]

Israel received three gifts during their wanderings through the
desert: the well, the clouds of glory, and the manna; the first for
the merits of Miriam, the second for those of Aaron, and the third
for those of Moses. When Miriam died, the well disappeared for a
time, but it reappeared as a reward for the merits of Aaron and
Moses; when Aaron dies, the clouds of glory disappeared for a
time, but reappeared owing to the merits of Moses. But when the
last-named died, the well, the clouds of glory, and the manna
disappeared forever. [113] Throughout forty years, however,
manna served them not only as food, but also as provender for
their cattle, for the dew that preceded the fall of manna during the
night brought grain for their cattle. [114] Manna also replaced
perfume for them, for it shed and excellent fragrance upon those
who ate of it. [115]

In spite of all the excellent qualities of manna, they were not
satisfied with it, and demanded that Moses and Aaron give them
flesh to eat. These replied: "We might put up with you if you
murmured only against us, but you murmur against the Eternal.
Come forward, that you may hear the judgment of God." At once
God appeared to Moses, and said to him: "It is revealed to Me
what the congregation of Israel have said, and what they will say,