Beshalach (2a): Yes When it's No

למען אנסנו הילך בתורתי אם לא

In order to test if you will go in the ways of the Torah or not...

Hashem provides enough of the מן to last for each day. The simple point of the test is to see if the Jews will adhere to the directive not to leave any over. However, says R' Mordechai of Lechovitch, zy"a, each facet of the Torah is pertinent to us now as well. Being as we no longer receive the Man, what relevant message can be found today?

Life experience has taught us that our relationship to spirituality is not static. We all have 'Yes' days and 'No' days. A day when we feel capable of fulfilling our potential is a time when we are imbued with מוחין דגדלות - a clear and open mind. The days that things are foggy are when we are experiencing מוחין דקטנות - constricted consciousness. Hashem asks each one of us "הילך בתורתי אם לא"? Are you going to give it your all even on a 'No' day?

This is the crux of every test we are given. Just as our personal feelings of inspiration can fluctuate, so too there is a certain level of plasticity when it comes to Hashem's expectations of us. Life throws us practical and emotional curve-balls that sometimes make demands that are are beyond our control. The point of every test is to see what we are capable of even when we are experiencing מוחין דקטנות.

To be continued...