Difference between revisions of "Manna" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | + | '''Manna''' is the name of the [[food]] [[miracle|miraculously]] produced for the Israelites in the desert in the book of [[Exodus]]. According to the biblical story Manna ceased to appear when the Israelites first harvested their crops in their new homeland. By extension "manna" has also been used to refer to any divine or spiritual nourishment. | |
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| − | '''Manna''' | ||
==Biblical Manna== | ==Biblical Manna== | ||
| − | According to the Bible, the mysterious substance which was provided miraculously by God to the Hebrews during their | + | According to the Bible, the mysterious substance which was provided miraculously by God to the Hebrews during their 40 years in the desert descended by night like hoarfrost in the form of [[coriander|coriander seed]] of the color of [[bdellium]] ([[Book of Numbers]] 11:7). It was collected before sunrise, before it melted in the sun. The people ground it, or pounded it, and then baked it (Num. 11:8). In accordance with the commandment that no work be done on the [[sabbath]], a double portion was to be found and collected on the day before the [[sabbath]], while none was to be found on the sabbath day itself. When the Hebrews neared [[Canaan]] and arrived at [[Gilgal]], they began to eat the grain grown there, the manna ceased. |
| − | [[ | + | In the [[New Testament]], Hebrews 9:4 records that a pot with manna in it was stored in the [[Ark of the Covenant]], along with Aaron's staff that had budded, and the [[Ten Commandments]]. This Ark was in turn kept in the "[[Holiest of Holies]]" (the inner chamber) of the [[tabernacle]] that the [[Israelites]] carried with them in the wilderness for 40 years. This inner chamber was where the priests would encounter the presence of God. |
==Identifying manna== | ==Identifying manna== | ||
| − | Some modern | + | Some modern commentators believe that manna may have been an edible [[cake]] and identify it with [[Shewbread]] or [[Showbread]]. A more common opinion is that manna was the [[sap]] of a [[succulent plant]] found in the [[Sinai]] peninsula, which may have had appetite-suppressing effects. Indeed, plants of the genus ''[[Alhagi]]'' are sometimes called "manna trees". <ref>Alhagi as "Manna Tree" [http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Alhagi+mannifera&CAN=COMIND]</ref> Others have hypothesized that Manna was one of the species of [[kosher]] [[locusts]] found in the region. <ref>Locusts as Manna [http://www.gottnotes.com/ArticlesPancakesLocusts.html]</ref> The most widespread explanations, however, are either crystallized [[Honeydew (secretion)|honeydew]] of [[scale insect]]s feeding on [[tamarisk]] twigs, or [[thallus|thalli]] of the Manna [[Lichen]] (''Lecanora esculenta'').<ref>Bodenheimer theory [http://www.homestead.com/bibleorigins*net/MannaSinaiBodenheimer.html]</ref> At the turn of the 20th century local Arabs in Palestine collected the resin of the tamarisk as ''mann es-sama'' ("heavenly manna"), and sold it to pilgrims (''JE'' "Manna"). |
| − | + | Some have even speculated that [[psilocybe]] [[mushrooms]] are the prime candidate in Manna's accurate identification. <ref>[[Terence McKenna]], [[Food of the Gods]], (New York, Harper Collins) p. 84.</ref> | |
| − | + | ==Modern manna== | |
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| − | ==Modern | ||
The term manna is also used in the modern context to refer to a secretion from various plants, including certain desert or semi-desert shrubs and especially the [[Ash (tree)|Ash]] ''Fraxinus ornus'' (manna or flowering ash) of [[Southern Europe]]. <ref name=Ashtree>Manna as Ash Tree [http://www.answers.com/topic/ash-tree-1]</ref> The material is produced by sap-sucking insects that secrete a [[Honeydew (secretion)|honeydew]] like liquid, that when dried forms manna; it has a sweet taste. Eaten in large quantities, it is mildly laxative and has been used medicinally for that purpose.<ref>Ash Tree as laxative [http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/ashmn075.html]</ref> | The term manna is also used in the modern context to refer to a secretion from various plants, including certain desert or semi-desert shrubs and especially the [[Ash (tree)|Ash]] ''Fraxinus ornus'' (manna or flowering ash) of [[Southern Europe]]. <ref name=Ashtree>Manna as Ash Tree [http://www.answers.com/topic/ash-tree-1]</ref> The material is produced by sap-sucking insects that secrete a [[Honeydew (secretion)|honeydew]] like liquid, that when dried forms manna; it has a sweet taste. Eaten in large quantities, it is mildly laxative and has been used medicinally for that purpose.<ref>Ash Tree as laxative [http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/ashmn075.html]</ref> | ||
| − | == | + | ==Vegetarian view== |
| − | According to the essay “The Semiotics of Food in the Bible,” by Jean Soler, the Creator (God) originally intended for man to only eat the food borne by plants such as [[fruit]]s and [[vegetable]]s. | + | According to the essay “The Semiotics of Food in the Bible,” by Jean Soler, the Creator (God) originally intended for man to only eat the food borne by plants such as [[fruit]]s and [[vegetable]]s. Plants were not considered “living” in part because they cannot move so “killing” them was not a [[sin]]. The manna that was given to the [[Hebrews]] during [[the Exodus]] was vegetarian and as follows: “It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafer made with honey” (Exodus 16:31). The Babylonian [[Talmud]], however, presents a view that its taste varied depending on who ate it: "For the youth the manna tasted like bread, for the elderly like oil, and for the small children like honey" (Yoma 75b). |
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==Manna of Saint Nicholas== | ==Manna of Saint Nicholas== | ||
Revision as of 13:26, 15 August 2007
Manna is the name of the food miraculously produced for the Israelites in the desert in the book of Exodus. According to the biblical story Manna ceased to appear when the Israelites first harvested their crops in their new homeland. By extension "manna" has also been used to refer to any divine or spiritual nourishment.
Biblical Manna
According to the Bible, the mysterious substance which was provided miraculously by God to the Hebrews during their 40 years in the desert descended by night like hoarfrost in the form of coriander seed of the color of bdellium (Book of Numbers 11:7). It was collected before sunrise, before it melted in the sun. The people ground it, or pounded it, and then baked it (Num. 11:8). In accordance with the commandment that no work be done on the sabbath, a double portion was to be found and collected on the day before the sabbath, while none was to be found on the sabbath day itself. When the Hebrews neared Canaan and arrived at Gilgal, they began to eat the grain grown there, the manna ceased.
In the New Testament, Hebrews 9:4 records that a pot with manna in it was stored in the Ark of the Covenant, along with Aaron's staff that had budded, and the Ten Commandments. This Ark was in turn kept in the "Holiest of Holies" (the inner chamber) of the tabernacle that the Israelites carried with them in the wilderness for 40 years. This inner chamber was where the priests would encounter the presence of God.
Identifying manna
Some modern commentators believe that manna may have been an edible cake and identify it with Shewbread or Showbread. A more common opinion is that manna was the sap of a succulent plant found in the Sinai peninsula, which may have had appetite-suppressing effects. Indeed, plants of the genus Alhagi are sometimes called "manna trees". [1] Others have hypothesized that Manna was one of the species of kosher locusts found in the region. [2] The most widespread explanations, however, are either crystallized honeydew of scale insects feeding on tamarisk twigs, or thalli of the Manna Lichen (Lecanora esculenta).[3] At the turn of the 20th century local Arabs in Palestine collected the resin of the tamarisk as mann es-sama ("heavenly manna"), and sold it to pilgrims (JE "Manna").
Some have even speculated that psilocybe mushrooms are the prime candidate in Manna's accurate identification. [4]
Modern manna
The term manna is also used in the modern context to refer to a secretion from various plants, including certain desert or semi-desert shrubs and especially the Ash Fraxinus ornus (manna or flowering ash) of Southern Europe. [5] The material is produced by sap-sucking insects that secrete a honeydew like liquid, that when dried forms manna; it has a sweet taste. Eaten in large quantities, it is mildly laxative and has been used medicinally for that purpose.[6]
Vegetarian view
According to the essay “The Semiotics of Food in the Bible,” by Jean Soler, the Creator (God) originally intended for man to only eat the food borne by plants such as fruits and vegetables. Plants were not considered “living” in part because they cannot move so “killing” them was not a sin. The manna that was given to the Hebrews during the Exodus was vegetarian and as follows: “It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafer made with honey” (Exodus 16:31). The Babylonian Talmud, however, presents a view that its taste varied depending on who ate it: "For the youth the manna tasted like bread, for the elderly like oil, and for the small children like honey" (Yoma 75b).
Manna of Saint Nicholas
The remains of Saint Nicholas (the historical saint who Santa Claus is based on) secrete a clear liquid, that is called "manna," from inside the tomb of the former Bishop of Myra. The liquid is attributed with miraculous abilities. (http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=42)
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Mushrooms and Mankind : The Impact of Mushrooms on Human Consciousness and Religion by James Arthur [6]
- Magic Mushrooms in Religion and Alchemy by Clark Heinrich [7]
- The Mystery of Manna: The Psychedelic Sacrament of the Bible by Robert Forte [8]
- Food of the Gods : The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge A Radical History of Plants, Drugs, and Human Evolution by Terence Mckenna [9]
- http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=42
- from classic Encyclopedia Britannica.
Notes
See also
- Operation Manna
- Ayahuasca
- Peyote
- Fly agaric
- For a fictional version, see Tuf Voyaging
External links
- Qoala.nl Startpagina: Qoala.nl
- Jewish Encyclopedia: Manna
- The Manna chabad.org
- Catholic Encyclopedia: Manna
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