By Roza Gross, Lower School Hebrew and Judaic Studies Teacher
Parshat Shemot tells the story of the Israelites’ suffering under Pharaoh’s cruel rule in Egypt. It also highlights acts of incredible courage, especially by those who stood up against Pharaoh’s evil orders. One of the highlighted moments in the parsha is the bravery of two midwives, Shifra and Puah, who refused to follow Pharaoh’s command to kill all newborn Hebrew boys. These women showed remarkable courage, trust (bitachon), and faith (emunah) in Hashem by choosing to save lives, even though it put them in great danger.
Shifra and Puah understood the sanctity of life (kedushat ha’chaim) and acted with a deep sense of awe and respect for Hashem (yirat shamayim). While Pharaoh, a ruler with no morals, tried to destroy the Jewish people, these righteous women chose to protect the infants because of their strong faith in Hashem. Hashem noticed their bravery and rewarded them with great families of their own—a clear sign of His appreciation for their selfless actions.
This courageous choice by the midwives became a key part of the Jewish story of redemption. Their actions indirectly led to the birth of Moshe Rabbeinu, whom Hashem chose to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. By standing up for what was right and trusting in Hashem, Shifra and Puah became role models for all of Am Yisrael, teaching us the eternal value of faith and courage.
Even today, we all face challenges—whether in our personal lives, with money, or in society. Like the midwives, we are called to meet these difficulties with faith (emunah) and trust (bitachon) in Hashem. It may not always make sense to understand the situation one is in, just as it might not have seemed logical for the midwives to defy Pharaoh. But by staying strong and trusting Hashem, we remind ourselves that He knows what is best in this world and will guide us through.
When life feels overwhelming, it’s hard to see how things will get better. The midwives, too, could not have imagined the redemption that would follow their actions. Yet, by standing up for life, they showed us the power of faith—that even in uncertain times, the future holds meaning, purpose, and growth.
The story of Amram and Yocheved also teaches us this lesson. When Pharaoh ordered the killing of all newborn boys, Amram divorced Yocheved in order to stop having children. But Miriam convinced her father and encouraged him to trust in Hashem and continue building their family. Their faith led to the birth of Moshe Rabbeinu, showing us that even in difficult times, choosing life and trusting in Hashem is always the right path.
The courage and faith of the midwives who chose life inspire us even today. A modern example of this faith comes from a midwife in a Tel Aviv hospital who shared her experience after the October 7th massacre. She described a couple arriving to give birth during a time of immense crisis. This family, and many others like them, chose to bring life into the world despite everything happening around them—a choice that seems almost beyond logic.
When the midwife asked herself where these people found such strength, she thought back to Shifra and Puah, who are described in the Torah as having "fear of Hashem." Like the midwives of Egypt, these couples saw beyond the fear and chaos of the moment. They acted with unwavering belief in the sanctity of life (kedushat ha’chaim) and trusted that even in the darkest times, growth and redemption are possible.
The faith of those midwives, both in ancient times and today, reminds us that even during a crisis, there is hope. Their courage shows us the power of faith and trust to bring light into the darkest moments.