A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem... Last opportunity for Kiddush L'vana this month is Sunday night, Leil TU BiShvat, 12 Feb Reminder: There is a custom to
provide food for birds on Erev Shabbat Shira. At least two ideas combine to
explain this custom. Sources tell us that Datan & Aviram spread manna around
the camp on Friday night, intending to make a liar out of Moshe on Shabbat
morning by showing the people that manna fell, contrary to Moshe's statement
that it would not fall on Shabbat. Birds ate the manna early in the morning,
saving the day. Feeding them before the Shabbat we read of the manna, is
HAKARAT HATOV, repaying a favor. Also, SHIRA, song, is the bird's special
talent. We borrowed it for the Song of the Sea and pay a royalty, so to
speak, to our fine feathered friends. [The
Parshat B'shalach Homepage]
|
