Holy Potatoes

by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

The Jews lived a miraculous existence in the desert. The Manna tasted like whatever they chose. Water was plentiful thanks to the great fountain of Miriam. Their clothes grew with them and remained clean naturally thanks to the clouds of glory that surrounded them. For anyone judging the situation, the Jews were living in a utopia.

Nevertheless, the Torah tells us that there were people who felt it wasn’t good enough. While the Manna would miraculously take on the taste and qualities of whatever food they desired, there were certain specific desires that the Manna would not accommodate. (The commentaries explain that certain foods were unhealthy for pregnant and nursing women, so the Manna was “wired” not to accommodate those tastes and qualities.) Although the Manna would taste like almost anything, these people craved the few tastes that were missing.

One wonders: these people had it all. Why did they focus on the one thing that they were lacking?

Yet, mankind’s nature is to crave.

It is probable that aspirations are necessary for us to lead healthy emotional lives. But, the type of craving a person has makes all the difference.

A friend of mine went to solicit money from a couple in his community. Although they agreed that the cause was a worthy one, the couple apologized that they simply could not afford to give a donation at that time. The rabbi parted from the couple on good terms thinking that the encounter was over.

Several days later, the rabbi got a call from the couple asking if he could return that evening. When the rabbi entered the home, he noticed the way the chairs were arranged and the table was set. Everything was exactly as it had been just a few days before. He felt like he was reliving the previous encounter. The only difference was that this time a generous check was waiting for him.

The woman explained, “The morning after we met with you an elderly friend called us with an interesting request. She asked us to distribute a thousand dollars that she had allocated for charity. It was clear to us that G-d saw how much we wanted to give, and enabled us to fulfill our desire.”

That couple had a spiritual craving, if you will—a craving to perform a Mitzvah. What is amazing about Judaism, however, is that good cravings are not limited to the spiritual. Even physical cravings can be sanctified if we learn how to crave them correctly.

During World War One, a group of Jews were hiding in a little farmhouse. Their hideout was in the middle of a village that was the site of many skirmishes between the German and Russian armies. Fearful to wander the streets in search of food, the group became hungrier and hungrier. Left with no choice, they gathered in heartfelt prayer.

Their prayers had reached lofty heights when suddenly they heard a thud just outside their door. A Russian army wagon that was passing by had hit a bump, causing a sack of potatoes to fall right in front of their door. Everyone was excited, except for one pious Jew who said with disappointment, “Until now we had pristine and holy prayer. Now all we have is a bunch of dirty potatoes.”

I respect the words of a pious Jew who is truly on the level to shun physicality. But, for most people the craving for sustenance is a legitimate need. Unlike the complainers about the Manna who dreamed of the few missing tastes, basic sustenance is a legitimate need that must be satisfied. The question is only how to sanctify the craving experience.

The rest of the group quickly pulled the sack into the farmhouse. They recited a bracha upon the “dirty potatoes” and proceeded to eat them with a sense of thanksgiving. They were in awe. They had prayed to G-d, and G-d had provided for them. They savored every bite as a gift of love from G-d.

Jewish tradition maintains that before we embark on any endeavor we should take the time to pray. In this way, when we achieve our goal it will be a catalyst for an increased relationship between us and G-d. If one pays proper attention, even physical cravings can be sanctified.

Holiness is not found just in charity and in doing mitzvos. Holiness can be found even in a bunch of dirty potatoes.

With best wishes for a wonderful Shabbos.

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