DEMAND FOR VARIOUS FOODS (VERSE NO. 61)

      Through this verse; (NO. 61) God revealed their ingratitude and ungratefulness to the numerous and extensive bounties, and especial favours, bestowed on them.

      The rebellious children of Israel grumbled and complained against the sameness of their food saying: ``O, Moses! We can not endure with one kind of food; therefore ask your Lord to bring forth for us of what the earth grows of its green herb, cucumber, corn, lentiles and onions!''

      Through a recalling of the past experiences, and a severe reproach, Moses tells them: ``Would you exchange that which is good for what is meaner? Go back to Egypt and or get you down to any land like Egypt, and you may have such variety of foods, but would you sell your freedom which is higher, for some cucumber and onions!?''

      Then the HOLY QURÄN adds: ``Abasement and poverty stroke them, and they incurred the wrath of Allah for going on rejecting HIS signs, and slaying the prophets without any right; and that was due to their disobedience and exceeding the limits.''

IS THE DEMAND FOR VARIETY NOT NATURAL?

      No doubt, that variety is a means of life; and one of the natural demands of mankind. A man is naturally fatigued for serving the same food for long period. If so, then one may ask: ``Why were then the Israelites reproached for that?''

      To answer this we say: ``In fact the reproach was not for their demand for variety. It rather was for preferring a worse, over the best! In our life there are some facts and figures, which are the foundations and basis of it, and one should not, and can not, sacrifice them for food and sleep and enjoyments without falling down! This natural demand of variety has been used sa an effective snare by the colonizers in order to hunt a noble minded freeman, enslaving him by demands for variety in food, clothes, vehicles, houses and etc.''

      Here, the reproach of Moses, to the HEBREWS, who were hankering after the delicacies of the Egypt which they had left behind, was a two fold reproach: 1) That, such variety of food, which you are driving at, can be obtained in any land other than Egypt, would you then sell your present freedom for some cucumber and lentiles?

      2) And besides: Is not freedom from the bondages of Egypt, far better than delicate food? If not; get you down to Egypt.