Parashat Shemot 5783

by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields

In Parashat Shemot, a new Pharaoh came to power in Egypt, who did not know Joseph.  The new Egyptian leader was scared that the children of Israel would rise up and rebel against him, and so decreed that all Israelites baby boys born should be killed. However, there were many heroic women who defied his decree – such as the midwives, Shifra and Puah, who made excuses for why the Israelite women were still having baby boys delivered, and kept the baby boys alive, which helped perpetuate the children of Israel.  Miriam was another woman who defied Pharaoh’s decrees, and the midrash, Rabbinic Legend, teaches that she encouraged her parents to remain married, and have more children, even if it was a boy, and so Moses was born. Moses was put into an ark, and placed into the Nile River, but Miriam watched over baby Moses, as he was hidden in the Nile River. Miriam told Batyah, Pharaoh’s daughter, when she found baby Moses, that she knew of an Israelite woman who could nurse the baby. Miriam then brought her mother Yocheved to Batyah, so that Moses could be fed. All these women took action, which could have been very dangerous, and risked their lives, to ultimately save the Jewish people. These women who took courageous actions are inspirations to all of us. Chazak v’Ematz – Be Strong and Courageous!