Commentaire de citation sur Le Deutéronome 29:4

This usually happens to those who walk barefoot, etc. You might ask: It says in Parshas Ki Savo (below 29:4), “and your shoe did not shred from your foot,” which implies that they wore shoes! The answer is: That verse there refers to the Jews who left Egypt who had shoes — those shoes did not shred. Rashi’s explanation here refers to the Jews who were born in the wilderness who did not have shoes. However Re”m explains that, “This usually happens to those who walk barefoot,” is only describing the type of swelling, but they were not actually barefoot, etc. And according to this explanation, one should not ask: What is the significance of “nor did your foot swell”? Since they did not walk barefoot, is this not obvious? The answer is: Indeed this is so. The verse teaches us that their shoes did not shred from their feet. It should be understood as follows: Your foot did not swell (which usually happens to those who walk barefoot); and this is because you did not have to walk barefoot, since your shoes did not shred.

Verse :"Fish" Commentary :"The term 'fish' is used metaphorically, as in 'and they shall multiply' (Genesis 48:16), regarding the cucumbers and watermelons. Now it explains why they asked about these species. As for meat, there is no need to give a reason why they asked, for it is a desirable food. However, regarding these species, it explains why they asked, saying, 'We see nothing but the manna before our eyes, and we have no satisfaction with it.' This is similar to the taste of fine oil, which is refined and boiled. In the portion of Beshalach, Pharaoh said, 'It is like honeycomb dipped in honey.' This refers to when it is not cooked. Both cooked and uncooked honey are sweet and require a condiment, as is done with meat using mustard and garlic. Therefore, they asked about onions and garlic. All these things are only the evil inclination, for even regarding these matters, since they do not produce anything for eating or clothing, as it is written, 'Your garments did not wear out on you' (Deuteronomy 29:4). But a light matter, for they had silver, gold, and abundant livestock. Even something that comes down from heaven does not require seasoning, for God does not produce anything that is not perfected. And there is no pleasure in the world like the manna, and the manna descends from heaven."

Had He satisfied our needs in the desert for forty years...: What exactly are “the needs” to which the Haggadah is referring in this statement? One of the blessings in the early morning service is, “Praised are You... who has provided me with all my needs.” We recite this blessing when putting on our shoes based on a statement in Berachot, 60b. Similarly, in Deuteronomy 29:4 we read: “I led you through the wilderness for forty year; the clothes on your back did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet ...” This leads Rabbi Epstein to conclude that “providing us with all our needs” must refer to shoes. Shoes are the most important item of clothing we wear because they protect our health and to maintain our self-respect. In Shabbat, 129a, we are told that one should sell everything he has to buy a pair of shoes. The commentator Rashbam explains that it is undignified for a person to have to go bare foot. Rabbi Epstein offers a more practical explanation for this statement. He explains that if one’s feet are cold one’s whole body will be cold as well. Shoes can, therefore, be seen as the most essential piece of clothing that one can have. Having proper protection for one’s feet is extremely important for preserving one’s health. That is why we recite this “Berachah,” “a blessing” in the morning when we put our shoes on; shoes represent “all our needs.” Since the Israelite’s shoes miraculously did not wear out in the wilderness we see that God provided the children of Israel with their most essential needs! Not only that, by the holy One also miraculously preserved this important need.