Exodus: Gift of Quails

The people were not only given manna however, they were also given meat --- quails.[footnote:Ex. 16:8.] Rabbinical commentaries insist on the fact that quails were not given out of necessity, but because of the people's doubting hearts[footnote:La voix de la Thora: l'Exode, p. 172; Ex. 16:6.]The demand for meat was itself unfitting: meat is not necessary for the life of man; the people had plenty of cattle they could have eaten; they did not ask to merely eat meat, but to gorge themselves. The inappropriateness is also hinted at by the inconvenience attached to the gift of this meat: small birds require lots of work to clean and many birds would be required to eat and be satisfied; the birds came in the evening, which required the people to work quickly --- while there was still light. Bread was the food given for the day, the time of grace, whereas meat was given as the shadows and darkness began to cover the earth.[footnote:ibid. Ex. 16:8.] The fact that God gives them meat anyway is surprising, but proves that God was able to completely provide the necessary and an overabundance even in the desert.[footnote:ibid. Ex. 16:6.]