Hidden Insights from the Book of Shemot

Pharaoh’s Claim and the Egyptian Response

Pharaoh said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are more numerous and stronger than we” (Exodus 1:9).

The Egyptians understood this to mean that the Jews had grown wealthy at their expense, from their resources. What did they do as a result?

They seized from the Israelites the good homes that Joseph had originally given them when he ruled Egypt. They also took their fields and all the best of the land of Egypt. (Sefer HaYashar)

Growth in the Midst of Suffering

How is it possible that specifically during a time of suffering and hardship, the people of Israel increased and multiplied?

This teaches that God’s personal providence is present even in times of pain and affliction. Everything is measured and exact, including the intensity of suffering. A person does not receive more than what has been decreed for him.

Therefore, it was God’s will that precisely during their suffering, the people of Israel would grow and expand. God does not abandon His guidance, not even for a moment. (Ohr Yechezkel, Emunah, p. 100)

Why the Midwives Feared God, Not Pharaoh

“And the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them” (Exodus 1:17).

This implies that they feared God rather than Pharaoh. Why would they have reason to fear Pharaoh?

Pharaoh threatened them that if they did not kill the male infants, he would burn them and their entire households. (Sefer HaYashar)

The First Child Cast into the Nile

Who was the first baby thrown into the Nile? And what happened to the others?

Moses himself was the first. (Tosafot, Sotah 12b)

Some say that none of the babies who were thrown into the Nile actually died, because the river cast them out and God took care of them. (Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, chapter 42)

Why Pharaoh’s Daughter Went to the Nile

Why did Pharaoh’s daughter go down to bathe in the Nile, and whom did she eventually marry?

According to the Talmud (Sotah 12b), she went in order to immerse herself as part of a conversion. According to Sefer HaYashar, she went because of the intense heat.

In later years, Batya merited to marry Caleb son of Jephunneh. (Megillah 13a)

It is also taught that Batya did not die, but was among the ten righteous individuals who entered the Garden of Eden alive. (Derech Eretz Zuta)

A Child or a Youth

“She opened it and saw the child, and behold, a youth was crying… and she said, ‘This is one of the Hebrew children’” (Exodus 2:6).

At first glance, the verse seems contradictory. Did she see a child or a youth?

The Chida and Chizkuni explain that the verse refers to two different individuals. The child was Moses, and the youth was Aaron, who was crying over what he saw happening to his brother.

Why Miriam Is Called a “Young Woman”

“The young woman went and called the child’s mother” (Exodus 2:7–8).

Why does the Torah refer to Miriam as a “young woman”?

To hint that she concealed from Pharaoh’s daughter the fact that she was the baby’s sister. (Chizkuni)