According to Legends of the Jews, Jethro, Zipporah's father, gave Moses considerable wealth and his daughter's hand in marriage. But there was a condition. Jethro, a Midianite priest, stipulated that any children born while they resided in his house would be divided into two groups: one considered Israelite, the other Egyptian. A rather unusual arrangement, wouldn't you say?
When Zipporah bore Moses a son, he circumcised him and named him Gershom. The name itself is significant, a direct reference to Moses' experience. Gershom, derived from the Hebrew word "ger" meaning "stranger," was meant to be a memorial to God's miracles on his behalf, because even though he lived in a "strange" land, God had been there for him (Exodus 2:22).
Zipporah nursed Gershom for two years, and in the third year, she gave birth to a second son. This is where things get complicated. Moses, remembering his agreement with Jethro, knew his father-in-law wouldn't allow him to circumcise this child. So, he decided to return to Egypt, where he could raise his second son as a full Israelite.
But the journey was fraught with peril. On the way, Satan himself appeared to Moses in the form of a serpent! This wasn't just a casual encounter. The serpent swallowed Moses, consuming him down to his extremities. Imagine the terror!
How did Zipporah know what to do? She understood immediately that this attack was a consequence of her second son's uncircumcised state. Acting swiftly, she performed the circumcision herself. As soon as she sprinkled the blood of the circumcision on Moses' feet, a heavenly voice rang out, commanding the serpent to release him. "Spew him out!" it thundered. And just like that, Moses was freed, standing once more on his own two feet.
Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews emphasizes that Zipporah saved Moses' life not once, but twice! First, she rescued him from the pit he found himself in and then, from the clutches of the serpent. What does this tell us? Zipporah was more than just a wife; she was an active participant in Moses' destiny, a woman of quick wit, decisive action, and deep understanding of the spiritual realm.
This story, found within the larger narrative of Moses' life, isn't just about miraculous rescues. It is about covenant, commitment, and the vital role that women play in safeguarding tradition. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? How many other unsung heroes are there in our stories, waiting for their tales to be told? How many times have women stepped up, unseen, to protect and preserve the very fabric of our faith?