The moments leading up to his birth were fraught with danger and a whole lot of divine intervention.

The book of Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating text filled with stories and interpretations of the Torah, gives us a glimpse into those tense times. Specifically, Chapter 48.

It tells us that three long years passed. Three years of fear and anticipation as the prophecy of a deliverer hung in the air. Then, Moses was born. scene for a moment. The relief, the joy… quickly overshadowed by the ever-present danger.

According to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, when Moses was born, word somehow reached Pharaoh. "Behold, he is born, and he is hidden from our vision," they said. How did Pharaoh react? Did he order the immediate execution of all newborn boys? Not quite.

Instead, he issued a new decree. "Since he is born," Pharaoh declared, "henceforth ye shall not cast the male children into the river, but put upon them a hard yoke to embitter the years of their lives with hard labour, as it is said, 'And they made their lives bitter' (Ex. 1:14)."

A chilling compromise. Pharaoh, perhaps sensing that fate was already at play, decided to change tactics. Instead of outright murder, he would crush the Israelites' spirits through relentless toil. He would break them slowly, deliberately. A different kind of cruelty. A different kind of genocide.

But here's where the story takes a turn towards the miraculous.

Rabbi Nathaniel adds a beautiful detail: "The parents of Moses saw the child, (for) his form was like that of an angel of God." Can you imagine the sight? A baby, radiating an otherworldly glow. A tangible sign of divine favor. A beacon of hope in the darkest of times.

And what did they do? They followed Jewish law, tradition. "They circumcised him on the eighth day, and they called his name Jekuthiel."

Jekuthiel. It's a name rich with meaning. Some say it means "God is my hope" or "May God nourish". It's a powerful declaration of faith and trust in the face of overwhelming adversity. A name whispered with love and defiance.

So, what does this little snippet from Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer tell us? It reminds us that even in the face of unimaginable evil, hope can be born. That even the smallest act of faith can have profound consequences. And that sometimes, the greatest leaders come into the world cloaked in wonder, destined for greatness, even from the very beginning.