Let’s dive into a strange and intense little story from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus. It revolves around Moses, the man destined to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and a very near-death experience.
So, Moses is on his way to Egypt, right? He’s got his family with him. Exodus 4:24 tells us, "It was on the way at the lodging, the Lord met him, and sought to kill him." Yikes! What’s going on?
The rabbis in Shemot Rabbah zero in on the detail "at the lodging." They explain that the incident underscores how vital the mitzvah (commandment) of circumcision is. Moses had been a bit… shall we say… indolent in circumcising his son, Elazar. And the punishment was swift. According to the text, the delay wasn't tolerated "for even one moment!"
Now, here’s where it gets really interesting. The text points out that even though "the Lord" is mentioned – and "the Lord" often represents the attribute of mercy – the angel sent was still out to kill Moses. It's a stark reminder that even divine mercy doesn’t excuse us from fulfilling our obligations.
Then Tzipora, Moses's wife, steps in. Exodus 4:25 recounts, "Tzipora took flint, cut her son’s foreskin, and cast it at his feet; she said: You are to me a bridegroom of blood." Talk about a dramatic intervention!
How did she know what to do? Shemot Rabbah paints a vivid picture: An angel began swallowing Moses, starting from his head, moving downwards. But the angel stopped right at the place of circumcision! Tzipora, witnessing this, understood immediately that the issue was the unperformed circumcision. She recognized the sheer power of the mitzvah – the angel couldn’t pass that point.
Immediately, she circumcises their son. Then, in a powerful, almost defiant act, she casts the foreskin at Moses’s feet, declaring, "You are to me a bridegroom of blood." The rabbis explain that she meant, "My bridegroom, may you be given back to me thanks to this blood of circumcision, as I fulfilled the mitzvah." And just like that, "He let him alone" (Exodus 4:26).
The final verse, "Then she said: A bridegroom of blood regarding the circumcision," is understood as Tzipora marveling at the power of circumcision. Her husband was in mortal danger because of the neglected mitzvah, and only its performance saved him. As the text states, "Once he was liable to be killed, it was only the performance of circumcision that caused him to be saved."
This little story within Shemot Rabbah isn’t just about following rules. It's about the profound connection between action, consequence, and redemption. It highlights the weight of our responsibilities, and the unexpected power that lies within fulfilling them. What does it mean to be a "bridegroom of blood?" Perhaps it's about acknowledging the sometimes messy, intense, and deeply personal commitment we make when we embrace our traditions. What do you think?