Moses Born Painlessly and Filling the House with Light

Midrash Aggadah, Exodus 2:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And the woman conceived and bore a son" (Exodus 2:2). But was she not already pregnant for three months? Rather, Scripture likens her giving birth to her conceiving: just as her conceiving was without pain, so too her giving birth was without pain. From here we learn concerning the righteous women that they were not included in the decree of Eve. "And she saw him, that he was good" (Exodus 2:2): Toviah was his name. Another interpretation: he was fit for prophecy. Another interpretation: he was born already circumcised. Another interpretation: at the hour when Moses was born, the house was filled with light, and therefore it says "that he was good"; it is written here "that he was good," and it is written there "And God saw the light, that it was good" (Genesis 1:4). "And she hid him three months" (Exodus 2:2): for the Egyptians counted only from the hour that he had taken her back, but she had been pregnant three months beforehand.

Themes

BirthLightMosesHumorWit

Biblical References

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