We often think of Moses as this larger-than-life figure, the lawgiver, the prophet who spoke to God face-to-face. But before all that, he was a man, a man deeply moved by the suffering of his people, the Israelites enslaved in Egypt.
According to Legends of the Jews, compiled by Rabbi Louis Ginzberg, the sight of their bondage literally brought Moses to tears. He cried out, "Woe unto me for your anguish! Rather would I die than see you suffer so grievously." Can you imagine? This wasn't just pity; it was a visceral, almost unbearable empathy.
But Moses didn't just stand by and weep. He didn't let his royal upbringing separate him from their plight. He actively joined them in their labor. He set aside his privileged position at Pharaoh's court and shouldered the burdens of his brethren. He toiled in their place.
What a powerful image, right? A prince, willingly trading his comfort for the back-breaking work of a slave. According to Ginzberg, Pharaoh even favored Moses for this, believing he was just working hard to ensure the success of the royal decree. Irony, isn’t it?
But the real reward wasn't Pharaoh's approval. It was something far more profound. God noticed Moses's actions. God saw his selfless dedication. And what did God say? "Thou didst relinquish all thy other occupations, and didst join thyself unto the children of Israel, whom thou dost treat as brethren; therefore will I, too, put aside now all heavenly and earthly affairs, and hold converse with thee."
Think about that for a moment. Because Moses chose compassion, because he treated the Israelites as his brothers and sisters, God chose to speak with him. God set aside the entire universe, all the heavenly and earthly affairs, just to connect with this one man who had shown such profound empathy.
It makes you wonder, doesn't it? What amazing conversations are we missing out on because we're too busy, too comfortable, or too afraid to connect with the suffering around us? Maybe, just maybe, the path to something truly extraordinary starts with a simple act of compassion, a willingness to shoulder someone else's burden.