* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
How do we bring the redemption? It starts with the women. This week we begin reading the book of Exodus. It is concerned with the Exodus from Egypt and the women who made it possible. Redemption always starts with the women, as the well-known statement says:
“In the merit of righteous women of that generation Israel was redeemed from Egypt. And in the merit of righteous women, Israel will be redeemed in the future.”
Who are the women who bring the nation of Israel to redemption?
1. The Hebrew midwives, Shifra and Puah. They refuse to abide by Pharaoh’s decree to kill the Jewish baby boys. They know that above Pharaoh, king of Egypt, is the King of the universe, and they must obey Him alone.
2. Yocheved. She becomes pregnant and gives birth to a baby boy at the height of the Egyptian persecution. She knows about Pharaoh’s evil decree but risks her life in defying it. The name of her son is Moshe.
3. Miriam. She is Moshe’s sister, who prophesies his birth and, to this end, reunites her parents who have separated. After Moshe’s birth, she watches over him while he floats in his basket on the Nile. Later she teaches the women of her generation to sing together, to have faith, and to gather strength.
4. Pharaoh’s daughter. She gives Moshe his name when drawing him out of the Nile and saving his life, and then raises him in the royal palace.
All of this happens in this week’s Torah portion and gives us strength today. The power of women does not oppose tradition, Torah, or holiness. To the contrary, we learn this week about women whose courage was motivated by devotion to God and the highest spiritual values.
May all the women of this generation merit to be righteous too and bring the final redemption.
