Parshas Beshalach
My rav said this week in the name of the Kli Yakor an explanation why Mon was called Mon. One explanation is that it was a heavenly-sent food that was really only sensed by one’s nose by the fragrance that came forth. The letters of Mon is spelled with a ‘mem’ and a ‘nun’. These are the only letters in the alef-beis that cannot be pronounced when you hold your nose. You need THE NOSE to properly say the name of this food because that was the only physical body part that was needed to sense it. (I know, I know, I tried it and it doesn’t work….oh, well!)
Secondly, mem and nun are the only letters that are spelled with its letter. mem is spelled mem mem, and nun is nun nun. This was to highlight the nes of receiving the double portion every erev shabbos.
Finally, the Sfas Emes says that the Mon brought a tremendous amount of emunah, and sense of trust in Hashem, the One and Only Provider of the world and for Klal Yisroel in the wilderness. The words “Mon Hu” are the same letters as the word “Emunah”.
A good shabbos all!