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One of Pharaoh’s earliest and most evil decrees was the cold blooded murder of newborn Jewish boys.1 And yet, the Jewish midwives risked their own necks by not reporting the boys’ births, and thereby saved untold numbers of innocent babies.2
In fact, Moses’ very existence is in the merit of women. In light of Pharaoh’s murderous decree, little Miriam’s parents separated so as to avoid the danger of having a baby boy. Young but wise as she was, Miriam proved her parents’ decision wrong. She contended that by separating they would not have any children, including girls, thus exacerbating an already difficult situation. She successfully argued her case and her parents reunited and not long after had another baby—Moses.3 Moses’ mother saved her newborn by hiding him in a basket in the river, while Miriam stood guard. Pharaoh’s own daughter discovered the Jewish baby and decided to adopt and raise him as her own.4 Moses’ life was again saved years later, this time by his wife who rescued him from death in an unusual episode when Moses delayed circumcising his son.5 So Moses owed his life to his sister, mother, adoptive mother and wife.
Another of Pharaoh’s decrees was to give the Jewish women work which was more suited for men, and vice versa, thereby disrupted family and work norms.6 Yet despite the natural exhaustion and suffering the women endured through forced labor, the Torah credits them for the preservation of the Jewish family by adamantly continuing to have children despite the odds. After a hard day’s work they would seduce their weary husbands, ensuring the continuity of the Jewish nation.7 And while the men reached utter despair from all the hardships and lost hope for salvation8 , the women did not. So strong was the women’s faith, they prepared tambourines which they planned to play in celebration of the eventual exodus.9
Great was the women’s faith and loyalty to G-d even when reality suggested abandoning hope. We are told10 that the Egyptian redemption was in the women’s merit, and it comes as no surprise that the same is said11 regarding the future redemption, as well...May it be now!
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History » EgyptWomen & Judaism » Women's Issues
