Page 160 - HTUNA
P. 160
shmot-HATUNA
why did he employ only two women for this task? Did he think that only
two were enough to deliver all of the Jewish children? The Jewish women
were giving birth to six babies at once!
1
The trait of unity is tremendous. Yaakov summoned all of his sons before
his death. He used the words “assemble” and “gather,” which are terms
denoting unity. In this way, he indicated that the key to their survival is
unity. Had the tribes been unified, they would never have sold Yosef.
Consequently, the exile to Egypt would have been averted.
Pharaoh was aware of the power of unity. Therefore, he specifically called
the Jewish midwives to kill the male babies in order to plant dissention
among Bnei Yisrael. Two women were sufficient for this.
The midwives were rewarded for refusing to comply with Pharaoh’s
orders by being given “houses.” A house is a symbol of unity. This was
measure for measure for the unity which they promoted among Bnei
Yisrael.
“Pharaoh commanded his entire people, saying:
Every son that will be born – into the River shall
you throw him! And every daughter shall you
keep alive”
(Shemot 1:22)
