Every home has a job or chore list for things to be done around the house. Mow the lawn, set the table for Shabbat, clear the table, wash and dry the dishes, pick up your little sister…and the list goes on and on. Whenever it is your turn to do a particular job, don’t you feel great when one of your other brothers or sisters offers to do the job for you? It doesn’t matter who does it, says mom, “as long as the job gets done.”

Well what happens when there are enjoyable tasks or fun things to do – and only some of you can go or do them? Do any of us say: “Well, I’ll give up my turn for you, since I love you, and besides it doesn’t matter who does it, as long as the job gets done!” If it works for chores, why shouldn’t the same hold true for fun stuff? Are any of us willing to show our love in this special way?

Question: Where in this week’s Sedra do we find someone who says: “It’s ok. Let someone else go – as long as the job gets done. It doesn’t have to be me. As long as the goal is reached, that’s the important thing.”

Answer: Moshe wanted very much to lead the Jewish people into the promised land. He had led them out of Egypt and through the desert for 40 years, and wanted to complete the job by leading them to their destiny by establishing them in Israel. But Hashem said: “No. Moshe struck the rock instead of speaking speaking to it, and so Hashem said he was not allowed to cross the Jordan River. After pleading with Hashem, Moshe accepted His decision and then said: “who shall go out before them and who shall bring them in; and let not the assembly of Hashem be like sheep that have no shepherd.”

Moshe wanted to make sure that the Jewish people would complete their journey and arrive at their destination, with or without him. So he said: “If it can’t be me, then let someone else do it – but please Hashem, let them have a leader.” Moshe did not say: “If it can’t be me, then I don’t care any more.” He was not interested in himself – only that the job would get done. And Hashem chose Joshua to lead the people into Israel.