It paints a picture of a young Moses deeply connected to his people, even while living in Pharaoh's palace.
The text tells us that everyone in Pharaoh's household was involved in Moses' upbringing. Think about that for a moment. Isn't it fascinating? Imagine the future liberator of the Israelites being nurtured, taught, perhaps even loved, by the very people who were oppressing his brethren! It almost sounds like a paradox, doesn't it?
But then, the story takes a dramatic turn. As it says in Exodus 2:11, "And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown up, that he went out unto his brethren." He ventured into the Israelite camp. And what he saw there sparked something within him.
According to the Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, Moses witnessed an Egyptian taskmaster brutally beating one of the sons of Kohath, a Levite. The text emphasizes that these were Moses' brethren. His own flesh and blood. It was this injustice, this act of violence against his people, that ignited his righteous anger.
The text says, "He began to rebuke him with the sword of his lips, and he slew him, and buried him in the midst of the camp, as it is said, "And he smote the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand" (Ex. 2:12)."
Now, this is where it gets really interesting. The Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer offers a unique interpretation of the word "sand" – Chôl in Hebrew. It suggests that here, "sand" doesn't just mean the literal desert sand. Instead, it represents the people of Israel themselves!
How so? Well, the text references Hosea 1:10, which says, "Yet the number of children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea." So, burying the Egyptian in the "sand" could be interpreted as Moses burying him amongst his own people, symbolically or perhaps even literally within their encampment. Think about the implications of that!
What does that act really mean? Perhaps it signifies Moses' complete identification with the Israelites. His commitment to their liberation was so profound that he was willing to take a life and risk everything to defend them. It speaks to a deep, inherent sense of justice and a fierce loyalty to his people, even before God commanded him to lead them out of Egypt. It's a powerful moment that shapes our understanding of Moses as more than just a prophet, but as a man of action, driven by his conscience.
This passage from the Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer offers a fascinating and thought-provoking glimpse into the early life of Moses, revealing the seeds of leadership and compassion that would eventually blossom into the liberation of an entire nation. It leaves us pondering the complexities of identity, justice, and the extraordinary path of a man destined for greatness.