Irreplaceable

Let's say you were told that you are going to die, what will be your first reaction? I believe most people will protest, freak out or try to find a loophole. How many of us would respond with "Please pick someone to replace me so my work will not suffer"? Most of us believe we are irreplaceable. Very arrogant of us yet very human, too.

Moshe, being great and all, asked G-d, not to change the verdict, not for an explanation, but to "choose someone to lead the people so they won't get lost".

He knew what he was talking about. Remember, these are the people who kept arguing, complaining, rebelling, threatening to go back to Egypt and generally behaving like a bunch of unruly kids. Look what happened when he left them alone for 40 days to get the Torah. Just imagine what trouble they can get into if he leaves for good.

So upon being informed that he is to die soon, he thinks about their well being first. And only. That's greatness right there. The Israelites did not know how lucky they were to have Moshe look after their well being.

Nor did I. Here I was, after I-don't-know-how-many hours of traveling (do NOT choose to have a 14 hours layover in Zurich on the way to Israel), with one kid half asleep and the other 3/4 of the way there, too; with hubby in hyper mode and myself aching in every bone (darned narrow seats), and it's the dawn of a brand new day, which means we cannot really go to bed. But I have someone to watch over me. My amazing sister, who has already arranged for a house, car, food, phone, and everything else one may need, welcomed us by whisking away the sleeping teenagers, sending her own teenager to schlepp our bags up the many stairs, ordering her husband to prepare breakfast for everyone and pushing me down into the most comfortable chair in the house. Within one hour we were all showered, fed, rested and relaxed enough to carry on a reasonable conversation (you know, the kind where you are able to put together words and have them come out meaning something close to what you wanted to say.)

It is 5 days later and she is still taking care of us. Like I said: I did not know how lucky I was.

This week's parasha (You thought I was done, huh?) is very quirky. It keeps jumping from one subject to another. For example, once the issue of who will take care of the people once Moshe is gone is settled, the Torah moves on to a totally unrelated subject: what, when and how many animals are to be sacrificed for every holiday. How is that related to anything? It's a typical Jewish attitude to life: sad things happen, move on. It seems callous. Hello! Moshe was just told he would die. And he publicly announced his support for his replacement. Can we take a moment here to acknowledge his feelings? Or at least say a kind word about his long and faithful service? Nope. We move on. Because, the Torah always says, life goes on and it's the life that goes on that we need to be concerned with. Note that Moshe himself agrees with this attitude. He was only concerned with what would happen to those he would leave behind. None of us are so irreplaceable that we are more important than those who will have to carry on later. It's a humbling thought. And it should make us lead our lives (and especially our relationships) from a whole different angle. 

And first of all, we should realize and acknowledge those around us who contribute to our well being and happiness instead of concentrating on our own greatness. 

One thing my sister did that made me totally happy was to cook the following dish. It smelled great, it tasted wonderful, she is a vegetarian and yet cooked meat for me and, best of all, it's a dish I did not have to cook myself. Is there greater pampering?

Doda Vered's Indian Turkey

2-3 Tbs vegetable oil
1 very large onion chopped
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp black mustard seeds
2 Lbs turkey thigh meat, cut into small cubes (about 1/2 inch)
1/4 tsp each curry, ground cumin, turmeric
1/8 tsp cinnamon
Salt to taste


Cook onion in oil until golden brown.
Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds and cook, stirring, for a minute or two until fragrant.
Add turkey and cook, stirring occasionally, until it changes color, about 3-5 minutes.
Add the rest of the ingredients (make sure you add the salt last), turn heat to low, cover and cook 5 more minutes.

Serve over rice, pasta or along a green salad.

Serves 4-6



I must remember to stop thinking I am the best ever. While it is true, of course, there are moments (sometimes even whole days) when others outshine me. Hard to admit, but there it is.