לקוטי שיחות חלק ב - חוקת

The manna was an internal form of nourishment, reflecting the role of Moshe. The Clouds of Glory represented a surrounding influence (makif), reflecting the role of Aharon, who “loved all people.” The water, which carries nourishment throughout the entire body, reflected the role of Miriam, who prophesied in Egypt and helped raise the generation that proclaimed, “This is my G‑d, and I will glorify Him.”

The Midrash states that the manna descended for the Jewish people in the merit of Moshe, the Clouds of Glory in the merit of Aharon, and the well in the merit of Miriam. When Aharon and Miriam passed away, the Clouds of Glory and the well disappeared, and later they returned in the merit of Moshe.

The explanation is as follows: The manna is internal nourishment, corresponding to Moshe’s role of providing an inward spiritual influence, which is received differently by different Jews. The Clouds of Glory represent a transcendent, surrounding influence (makif), corresponding to Aharon, whose love encompassed every Jew equally. Water carries nourishment throughout the entire body, corresponding to Miriam, who prophesied in Egypt and helped establish the generation that later declared, “This is my G‑d, and I will glorify Him.”

However, after Miriam and Aharon passed away, these blessings returned through Moshe. Moshe then began to provide these influences as well, because he is the shepherd of Israel and therefore supplies the Jewish people with everything they need.

Similarly, my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, devoted himself not only to the leaders of Israel but to every individual Jew, providing each person with what he or she needed.

The lesson is that every Jew possesses a spark of Moshe Rabbeinu. Therefore, even if one is not personally in spiritual danger, one must still be concerned for all fellow Jews, including those who find themselves in a place of “snake, serpent, and scorpion,” and work to bring them closer to their Father in Heaven.