Parshas Beha'aloscha 5785 - The Missing Tile

The Missing Tile

The Torah says (Bamidbar 11:4-5): “The Children of Israel also wept once more, and said, ‘Who will feed us meat?’ We remember the fish that we ate in Egypt free of charge; and the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.’”

This complaint appears superficial. Why would the people weep over the absence of cucumbers and onions when Hashem had provided them with manna – a supernatural food that could taste like anything they desired?

The Talmud (Yoma 75a) provides two explanations, from Rav Ami and Rav Asi. One opinion says that the manna conveyed the flavor of all foods except these five: cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. The people cried because they were deprived of these specific tastes. According to the second opinion, the manna included all flavors – including these five - but lacked the foods’ texture, which left the people feeling dissatisfied.

Both of these explanations raise a deeper problem: Were the cravings really worth crying over?

According to the first opinion, the Jewish people could experience the taste of nearly every food imaginable - steak, sushi, ice cream, chocolate, French pastry. Why would they be so upset over a handful of fruits and vegetables? Rashi adds that Hashem deliberately withheld these tastes from the manna because these tastes are potentially harmful to the babies of pregnant and nursing women. Far from being a deprivation, it was an active of Divine compassion for His people. Why, then, were the people unhappy?

The second opinion is even more puzzling. If the manna retained the taste of these five foods and only lacked the texture, how could this minor deficiency lead to such widespread weeping?

It appears that the answer lies in human nature. People naturally focus on what they lack rather than what they have. This psychological tendency is what Dennis Prager famously termed the “Missing Tile Syndrome” in his book “Happiness is a Serious Problem”. Imagine entering a room filled with beautiful shining tiles – except for one that is missing. Despite the beauty surrounding us in the room, one’s eyes are drawn to the one missing tile.

The Jewish people in the desert perhaps experienced the same tendency. Hashem provided them with daily miracles. The manna not only nourished them, but it could taste like anything they imagined. Yet, all they could see was the missing “tile”, e.g. the lack of taste in these five seemingly minor foods.

The Torah tells us that because of this misplaced longing, “the wrath of Hashem flared greatly.” (Ibid. 11:10). The Talmud has a different perspective. Ben Zoma tells us: “Who is rich? One who is happy with what he has.” (Avos 4:1). When we appreciate the good things that we do have, we not only fulfill the mitzvah of “Hakaras Hatov” (recognizing and appreciating the good) but we also open the door to happiness and a deeper connection to Hashem.

We should try to shift our focus away from what we don’t have, and enjoy the abundance that Hashem provides us. When we awaken in the morning and appreciate the blessings that Hashem has given us, we can experience more happiness, fulfillment and spiritual growth in each day of our lives.