Snakes are depressed creatures.
At least that’s what the Sages teach us.
We know that the snake was cursed by Hashem, “You shall walk on your belly, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.”
I can understand that the original snake was offended at the demotion. Still, ultimately, the snake of today actually has it pretty good. If it walks on its belly and it eats from the dust of the earth – its food is readily available! Why should it be sad?
According to the Zohar, the snake is sad because it’s worried. Even though it’s food is right in front of its face, it worries that eventually it will run out of sustenance... when it consumes all the food on earth!
Similarly, says the Zohar if we act like snakes and focus on ‘earthliness,’ we will also never be satisfied. We can have millions of dollars and endless resources, but we will always want more. We will always worry it’s not enough.
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Contrast that with the Jewish people in the desert. This week’s parsha Behaalotecha tells of the complaining Jews. They were unsatisfied with their food – manna from heaven.
G-d wasn’t too happy and taught them a lesson with the quail.
The Jewish people thus learned to appreciate the manna, which fell daily. Interestingly, it only lasted for one day. If a person stockpiled it, it would spoil. Every day, sans Shabbat, the Jews had to gather it anew.
To put it in simple terms – they never had more than one day’s resources in their bank accounts! Every day they trusted G-d and were satisfied with His bounty!
In fact, it was in gratitude of the manna that the first blessing of our Grace After Meals (bentching) was composed by none other than Moshe (Moses) himself.
It reads:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe, Who, in His goodness, provides sustenance for the entire world with grace, with kindness, and with mercy. He gives food to all flesh, for His kindness is everlasting. Through His great goodness to us continuously we do not lack food, and may we never lack food, for the sake of His great Name. For He, benevolent G‑d, provides nourishment and sustenance for all, does good to all, and prepares food for all His creatures whom He has created, as it is said: You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Blessed are You, L-rd, Who provides food for all.
Imagine: The Jews were fed just two meals. No pantry. No garden outside. No emergency rations.
They relied completely on G-d’s kindness.
And, they thanked G-d every day.
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It’s our choice.
We can fancy that we chart the course of our own destiny and success. And be in a perpetual state of misery.
Or, we can place our trust in G-d.
Then,
Even if we have only enough for today, we will gratefully thank G-d for providing, “sustenance for the entire world with grace, with kindness, and with mercy. He gives food to all flesh, for His kindness is everlasting. Through His great goodness to us continuously we do not lack food, and may we never lack food, for the sake of His great Name.”
Having less, after all, might really be having more.