Shemos - What's Truly Important?
Among all the Jewish women who were instrumental in bringing the redemption from Mitzrayim, two stand out, Yocheved and Miriam. Yocheved was the mother of Moshe Rabeinu and Miriam was his sister. These were distinguished women, leaders of all the Jewish women in that generation, and they both feature prominently in the Torah. They also happened to be the Jewish midwives who heroically defied Paroah’s orders to kill baby boys featured in this Parsha. We would expect that given their importance, the Torah would introduce them to us with their names, Yocheved and Miriam. However, instead of naming them properly, they are called Shifra and Puah, the Jewish midwives. These ladies defied the king’s decree and risked death to bring Jewish children into the world. They were both instrumental in Moshe Rabeinu’s birth and survival. They were the matriarchs of Jewish kings and priests. Miriam especially is mentioned by name over and over later in Chumash. We know their real names, yet the Torah introduces them as Shifra and Puah. Why? Rashi tells us that their names here describe the roles they played as they cared for the newborn babies. The name Shifra, (Yocheved), comes from the word “l’shaper” to beautify, describing her role in cleaning and prettying the babies. Puah was Miriam, and her name means to murmur or speak soothingly to babies. Why, with all their noteworthy accomplishments, are they immortalized in the Torah for rubbing oils into babies’ skin and whispering soft words in newborns' ears? Surely they should be known for much more than that! Yet maybe that is just the point. Maybe nurturing young children, giving them emotional security and love, is the greatest accomplishment there is. Maybe there really is no greater honor for these women than to be known for eternity as nurturers of Jewish babies. We live in a mixed up world, where things of lesser importance seem vital, and truly significant jobs seem trivial. Perhaps Shifra and Puah are meant to remind us that it isn’t the big, glorious projects as much as the small, mundane acts of loving and nurturing that matter. Brushing our kids’ teeth, singing songs, telling stories - it may feel like nothing important, but we’re wrong. We sometimes get confused. Why should I sit on the couch and read my child a story when he can watch an adorable animated version on my phone while I do something really important at the same time! No! Parshas Shemos reminds us that each small moment, each seemingly trivial act Jewish women and mothers do, is at the foundation of our entire nation. This week has been a Shifra and Puah week for me so far. I’ve been busy all day long, yet feel like I am not accomplishing things. Even though I’ve shared this thought with you before, it’s been resonating with me all week as I need this reminder that it’s precisely these small, unimportant acts that truly matter and are indeed significant.
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