| The king of Egypt commanded the Hebrew midwives, “When you assist the Hebrew women in giving birth… if it is a male, kill him” (Shemos 1:15-16).
However, Yocheved and Miriam, the midwives, feared Hashem deeply. This profound reverence motivated them to act contrary to Pharaoh’s decree. Instead of killing the male infants, they chose to protect them, feeding and nurturing them in secret. When Pharaoh discovered this, he confronted them: “Why did you not kill the male infants, and why do you feed them?” In response, the midwives explained, “The Hebrew women are so vigorous that they give birth before we can arrive.” Pharaoh accepted their answer without further inquiry.
Yet, there’s an intriguing question: Pharaoh did not press them to explain why they nurtured the babies. After all, if their action of saving the infants was contrary to his command, shouldn’t he have demanded an explanation? The answer lies in the power of Yocheved and Miriam’s fear of Hashem. Their reverence for Hashem was so deep and all-encompassing that it extended even to their encounter with Pharaoh. This inner strength of spirit not only allowed them to defy his orders but also had a profound effect on him. Pharaoh’s focus was so disrupted by the spiritual energy emanating from the midwives' fear of Hashem that he forgot to follow up on his second question. The intensity of their moral conviction and Divine awe created a force so powerful that it left Pharaoh distracted and disarmed.
Today: Let us learn from Yocheved and Miriam. Strengthen and integrate your awe of Hashem in every aspect of your life. Let that awe not only shape your personal conduct but also inspire and influence those around you to be better, more compassionate, and more considerate individuals.
NEW! עצת חיים\Personal Advice
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