CURRENT TALMUD PASSAGE

Posted March 15, 2007, by Rabbi Judy Abrams. Please refer to Maqom's home page for information about previous passages.

BH

THE EXODUS: A FAMILY AFFAIR
© Judith Z. Abrams, 2007

The story of the exodus is a communal one. As we prepare for our seders, the following passage from the midrash on the book of Proverbs can set the tone for considering how it was that we made it out of Egypt.

"The wisest of women builds her house (Proverbs 14:1)" This refers to Yocheved who raised three righteous children in the world: Moses, Aaron and Miriam. All three attained the merit of serving Israel, and all three served as providers for Israel: Moses provided the manna, Aaron provided the clouds of glory and Miriam provided the well. All three were prophets. (Midrash Proverbs 14)

The real heroine of the story…a character often overlooked…is Yocheved. She was mother to three extraordinary people.

Discussion Questions:

1. If you were to write a midrash about Yocheved (whose name means God's Honor), how would you imagine her?
      
2. What kind of parenting techniques does it take to raise three extraordinary children under desperate circumstances?
      
3. Can you think of any ways you might include Yocheved in your seder? Please share them with us.

Chag Sameiach…and happy cleaning!