Q. One of the reasons mentioned for the untimely death of Nadav and Avihu was that they entered the Mishkan while intoxicated. Where did they find wine in the Midbar? It is unlikely it was taken out of Mitzraim, since even enough water they did not carry. Besides they never mentioned that wine was one of the amenities they enjoyed in Mitzraim.
A. There are a number of elucidations for the source of the wine in the Midbar
1) Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a mentioned the Targum on Shir Hashirim (1: 14) “Dodi li bekarmei Ein Gedi. ” were it is written that the source of the needed wine for the nesochim and menochos was the exports of the vineyards of Ein Gedi. Similarly, Chida (Nachal Kedumim, Pesach Einaim – Menochos 45b) mentions that wheat for the menochos and lechem haponim was also brought from surrounding settlements.
2) Mikroei Kodesh (Pesach 12), Har Tzvi (Yuma 75: 1), Gilyonei Hashas (Brochos), Dagan Shomaim (p.132) and others debate if the mon that fell on the Midbor actually turned into the food one had in mind to eat and if one complied with it the different mitzvos that depend on food, such as matza or menochos.
Torah Shlema (Shmini) quotes Medresh Talpios (Anaf Yain) that asks this particular question, namely; where did Nadav and Avihu find wine in the wilderness. He mentions that the question is also found also in Zohar (Noach – with Hasulam p. 109) and the answer is that they drank from Miriam’s Well. The waters of this spring possessed the same singular quality of the mon. Whatever was in the mind of the drinker, the waters of the well actually turned into, including wine.
3) Or Hachaim (Bamidbar 15: 32) regarding the Mekoshesh Eitzim (woodchopper) on Shabbat, explains that there was indeed planting and harvesting done on the sands of the desert, trees included. This was miraculously and rapidly achieved by the waters of Miriam’s well. This was the source of all needed cereals and fruits as well as the wood for the mizbeach and the burning of the Parah Adumah, also for the spices of the Ketores.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
Important Numbers
