QUESTIONS ON PARASHAT ‘EQEV

1. Then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled. (Deuteronomy 11:14-15)

Why does this verse state both that God will send rain and that the people will gather in the grain? What does it teach about balancing spiritual matters (i.e. Torah study) and work?

2. On the surface, the provision of manna seems like a blessing, but according to Deuteronomy 8:16, it served "to humble" Israel and "to test" them. How did the manna serve as a test for Israel? Why did God want to test Israel? Did Israel pass the test? What lessons were they supposed to learn? How is this passage connected to the temptation of Messiah in Matthew 4:1-11 & Luke 4:1-12?