שמות, פרק ט״ז, פסוק י״ד

The arrival of the heavenly food in the desert marked a profound reversal of the natural order. In the normal course of the world, bread grows from the earth and dew falls from the sky. Here, however, the bread descended from the heavens, while the dew rose from the ground [גור אריה, מזרחי, שפתי חכמים]. Although some have attempted to explain this food as a common desert phenomenon, such as insect secretions or tree sap, it was entirely miraculous and defied natural laws. It did not fall on the Sabbath, it melted away in the heat of the sun, and it was completely absorbed by the human body without producing any waste [שד״ל, קאסוטו, אברבנאל].

The revelation of this food was closely tied to the movement of the morning dew. The primary approach among commentators is that as the sun rose and warmed the air, the dew evaporated and lifted, exposing the food that had been hidden beneath it [רש״י, קאסוטו, שד״ל]. Another view suggests that the lifting of the dew simply means the morning moisture stopped falling, which then allowed the food to drop [אבן עזרא, חזקוני, רלב״ג]. A unique perspective offers a different picture, describing the food as being encased in a protective box. In this view, dew fell from above and another layer rose from the earth, surrounding the food on all sides to protect it and maintain its absolute purity [רש״י, תורה תמימה, שפתי כהן].

Once the dew cleared, the Israelites were met with a highly unusual sight. The substance was incredibly fine, understood either as tiny individual grains [ספורנו, שד״ל] or as a thin, flat layer resting on the ground [רש״י, רמב״ן]. Its exact texture and form are described in various ways. Some explain that it appeared peeled and completely clean to the eye [רמב״ן, רש״ר הירש, קאסוטו], while others picture a round, geometric shape similar to a small seed [אבן עזרא, ביאור יש״ר]. It is also seen as a scattered substance [רשב״ם], or something exceptionally soft that would melt easily in the palm of a hand [תורה תמימה, מלבי״ם, גור אריה]. Tying back to the protective layers of moisture, another explanation suggests its appearance hinted at being packaged or boxed between the dew [רש״י, העמק דבר].

This thin substance resting on the earth is compared to frost. Generally, this implies that it lay on the ground either as frozen grains or as a solid, congealed layer resembling the thin ice that forms on a freezing morning [רמב״ן, רש״י, רשב״ם, שד״ל]. However, based on an ancient translation, some commentators suggest the comparison is actually to crushed white stone. In this view, the food was fine, white, and scattered across the desert floor, looking very much like the shattered pieces of limestone used to plaster walls [רמב״ן, גור אריה, נתינה לגר].