"A man from the house of Levi went and he took a daughter of Levi" (Exodus 2:1). Simple enough, right? But the Rabbis of the Midrash, in Shemot Rabbah, never leave a stone unturned. They ask: Where did this man, this "man from the house of Levi," actually go?

Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Zevina has a fascinating answer: "He followed the counsel of his daughter." Intriguing, isn't it? The Midrash continues by telling us that this man, Amram, was the greatest scholar of his generation. But what was this counsel? The story unfolds that Amram, seeing the harsh decrees of Pharaoh – specifically, the decree to cast newborn Hebrew boys into the Nile – decided it was better to separate from his wife, Yokheved, to avoid bringing more children into a world of such suffering.

His daughter, Miriam, however, challenged his decision. She argued, essentially, "Father, your decree is harsher than Pharaoh's! Pharaoh only decreed against the boys, but you are preventing the birth of girls as well!" A powerful argument from a young girl, wouldn't you say?

So, Amram, swayed by his daughter's wisdom, went and "took a daughter of Levi." But notice the text doesn't say "he remarried." It simply says, "he took."

Again, Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Zevina offers a beautiful image: He says that Amram performed an act of marriage, placing Yokheved on a litter. And get this: Miriam and Aaron were dancing before them, celebrating their parents' reunion! And even more wondrous, the ministering angels were singing, "The mother of the sons is joyous" (Psalms 113:9). What a scene!

Now, another question arises. The verse calls Yokheved "a daughter of Levi." But is it possible she was a hundred and thirty years old and still called a "daughter"? The Midrash anticipates this question. Rabbi Ḥama bar Ḥanina reminds us that Yokheved was conceived on the journey to Egypt but born within the walls of Egypt, as it says, "Who was born to Levi in Egypt" (Numbers 26:59); her birth was in Egypt, but not her conception. So, how could she still be called a "daughter"?

Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Zevina offers one last, charming explanation: Signs of young womanhood developed in her, meaning she miraculously regained her youthfulness.

This small passage from Shemot Rabbah is a rich tapestry, isn't it? It’s a reminder that even the most familiar stories have layers of meaning waiting to be uncovered. It shows us the power of a child's wisdom, the importance of hope in the face of despair, and the enduring strength of family. And, perhaps most of all, it reveals the Rabbis' deep belief in the miraculous possibilities that lie just beneath the surface of our everyday world.