Voices of WRJ: Sh'mot

by Lindie Henderson Parashat Sh’mot begins the Book of Exodus and the story of Moses as he becomes the somewhat-reluctant leader of the Israelites. Pharaoh has enslaved the increasingly-large population of Hebrews whom he believes will rebel against him and he begins a campaign to slay new-born male babies. While exploring the commentaries and poetry in The Torah: A Women’s Commentary and discussions online, I was reminded of two topics that have resonated for me for years. Many religions have stories of unusual births and of children experiencing childhoods with non-birth parents. Yoheved, Moses’ mother, was asked  by Pharaoh’s daughter to be the paid wet-nurse to Moses after she drew him from the river in his basket of reeds, which were fashioned and placed there by Joheved and Moses’ sister, Miriam, whose presence and good thinking was responsible for this occurrence. Pharaoh’s daughter raised Moses as her own child. My two children, now grown adults in their forties, were adopted as infants in closed adoptions. We were among many adoptive parents in our community. Adoption circumstances have changed in many ways since that time. We shared with both children that they were adopted; Moses grew up, it seems, without that knowledge. As an adult he connected with Aaron and Miriam, his two siblings, who became central to his life and to his leadership of the Israelites, which made for an interesting and complicated outcome. Today, adopted children may find or reconnect with birth parents and siblings, as well. This has not happened in our family. Then there is the strength of the women in this story! Yoheved and Miriam coordinated a daring plan to save baby Moses from death. Pharaoh’s daughter defied her father’s decree and brought an infant she surely knew to be a Hebrew into her life. Shifra and Puah, the midwives to the Hebrews, risked themselves by disobeying Pharaoh’s orders to kill newborn boys. Zipporah, Moses’ wife, saved Moses’ life by circumcising Gershom. The Israelite women secured objects of value from their neighbor-women to finance their departure from Egypt.  There is nothing new about the efforts and power of women working together to strengthen or to ensure the future of their families and their communities. Soon the WRJ Resolutions Committee will invite suggestions for topics resulting in WRJ Resolutions that are brought to our members for approval. Perhaps, as you consider issues to which we can give voice and, ultimately, encourage action, you or your sisterhoods will respond to the request. We, too, can stand up, speak out, and act to accomplish important, meaningful results in our lives and communities together. Lindie Henderson is a WRJ Board member who co-chairs the WRJ Resolutions Committee and recently completed her term as WRJ Pacific District Immediate Past President.  She is a member of Women of B’nai Israel in Sacramento, CA.