Parashat Shemot
January 12, 2023
Aaron Kogut, High School Science Teacher
What’s in a name? The first chapter of the book of Shemot, which literally translates as “names,” puts a special emphasis on names initially; the Torah recounts the names of the sons of Yaacov as one of the first things it does in this parashah, before it even begins the narrative of the subsequent enslavement of Bnai Yisrael, the Children of Israel. And yet, when we jump into a new familial narrative in Chapter Two, where we are introduced to none other than Moshe himself, the text is remiss in including any names from this prominent family. This begs the question, what is the Torah trying to teach us?
Rabbi Yitchak Etshalom, a former colleague of mine who I look up to with reverence, explains that we have to look at the purpose this family is trying to achieve. Yocheved and Amram are living under Pharaoh’s decree that any male children born to the Hebrews will be killed. As a result, they have separated to avoid the birth of any children. Rashi explains (Shemot 2:1) that under the advice of his daughter, Miriam, Amram decides to reunite with Yocheved. As we know, she inevitably becomes pregnant and Moshe is hidden for three months. When it is no longer viable to hide him, Yocheved sends him on the fateful voyage in the basket on the Nile under the watchful eye of his sister Miriam (no name given), where he is discovered by Bat-Paroah (Pharaoh’s daughter — again, no name mentioned). The subsequent story of Moshe’s elevation, humility, and leadership permeate the rest of the Torah.
This story is one of sacrifice by an underclass to ensure survival. It is not done to fanfare, rather it is borne out of necessity. The single-minded goal of this entire family is to ensure that this child survives and grows into adulthood. It is not about their own need — they don’t even give him a name to pass on that would connect him to his family and history — but instead the focus is purely altruistic. It is this that the Torah is highlighting. And it is noteworthy that it is this familial background that allows for Moshe to reach the pinnacle of Jewish leadership.
In today’s society, TikTok is the ultimate gloat, and I can’t count how many videos I have seen that show others giving charity as a means to garner followers. I do believe there are positives here; these recorded acts demonstrate the kindness that we show in society. Certainly, they encourage others to also be charitable and give of themselves. And yet, there is something inauthentic and self-serving about these actions. I believe that the story from this week’s parashah, one of quiet altruism, gives us a paradigm for how we can reach the same outcome in a way that demonstrates kindness with no self-serving goal — actions that teach in a quieter, more subtle way, but, as demonstrated with Moshe, lead to leadership born of humility that is equally self-sacrificing and not self-serving. This reaches the heights of serving G-d. Giving of one’s time and money is commendable. Doing it in a way that focuses solely on the actions and outcomes for others is laudable at a different level.
May we merit to reach these same levels of humility and kindness.
Shabbat Shalom