How the Midwives' Fear of Heaven Built Houses of Priesthood and Kingship

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 412:1

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

And all this praise - from where did it come? From the tribe of Judah. This is what Scripture says "And He said to man: Behold, the fear of the LORD is wisdom" (Job 28:28). And it is written (Exodus 1:17) "And the midwives feared God." And how did the Holy One, blessed be He, repay them? (Exodus 1:21) "And He made them houses" - houses of priesthood and kingship. Jochebed took priesthood and kingship as her reward: Moses and Aaron. And what reward did Miriam take? Wisdom, as it is said "Behold, the fear of the LORD is wisdom." From her He raised up Bezalel, who was wise, as it is said (Exodus 31:3) "And I have filled him with the spirit of God."

Themes

WisdomPriesthoodReward And Punishment

Continue Reading

Antiquities of the Jews (Josephus)The Pharisees and Sadducees Clash Over PowerWhen Aristobulus I died after just one year on the throne, his widow Salome Alexandra did something audacious. She released Aristobulus's brothers from prison, Antiquities of the Jews (Josephus)Josephus Closes His History of the Jewish PeopleJosephus ends his twenty-volume history of the Jewish people with a list, a boast, and a confession. The list is of every high priest from Aaron to the destructKedushat Levi (Rabbi Levi Yitzchak)The High Priest's Garments That Atoned for SinMoses' name does not appear in Parshat Tetzaveh. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev uses this conspicuous absence to explore a question about wisdom, unity, and Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelRabbi Yosei Haglili Tackled This Unusual Scenario Head-on, and HisWhat happens when a sheep that has never given birth delivers twin males at the exact same moment? Rabbi Yossi HaGlili tackled this unusual scenario head-on, anMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelThat the Manna, Which Was Requested Legitimately, WasMoses and Aaron delivered a pointed warning to the Israelites who kept complaining about their food in the wilderness. The manna had been given with a "radiant Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelGod Issued a Specific Invitation Go UpAt Mount Sinai, God issued a specific invitation: "Go up, you and Aaron with you." The Mekhilta notices something crucial about this command. It names Moses and