Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Moshe's mother use a box made of papyrus (gomeh) to hide him?
A: According to Rashi (Exodus 2:3), Moshe's mother Yocheved used a box made of papyrus (gomeh) because it is a lightweight material that would float easily on the Nile. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:20) adds that she chose this material specifically because it is not attractive to the Egyptians, who might otherwise take the box for their own use.
Q: What is the significance of the slime (chemar) and pitch (zefet) used on the box?
A: Rashi explains (Exodus 2:3) that the slime (chemar) was placed on the inside of the box to protect baby Moshe from the bad smell of the pitch (zefet), which was placed on the outside to waterproof the box and protect it from the Nile's waters. The Talmud (Sotah 12a) also notes that this shows Yocheved's great care for her child's comfort and safety.
Q: Why did Yocheved place the box in the reeds (suf) by the river?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:21) explains that Yocheved placed the box among the reeds (suf) for two reasons: (1) The reeds would help conceal the box from Egyptian patrols, and (2) The reeds would help stabilize the box in the water, preventing it from being swept away by the current. Rashi (Exodus 2:3) adds that this location was also chosen because it was near Pharaoh's palace, where Batya (Pharaoh's daughter) would come to bathe.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yocheved's actions in this verse?
A: The commentators teach that Yocheved's actions demonstrate emunah (faith) in Hashem. Despite Pharaoh's decree to kill all Jewish baby boys, she did everything possible to save her child while trusting in divine protection. The Talmud (Sotah 12b) notes that the word 'teiva' (box) is the same word used for Noach's ark, showing that just as Noach trusted in Hashem to survive the flood, Yocheved trusted that her child would be saved through this box.
Q: How long was Yocheved able to hide Moshe before putting him in the box?
A: According to Rashi (Exodus 2:2), Yocheved hid Moshe for three months after his birth before placing him in the box. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:20) explains that this was possible because Moshe was born prematurely at six months, making him small enough to hide easily at first. When he grew too big to conceal, she was forced to take this measure of faith.
The Context of the Verse
This verse (Shemot 2:3) describes the actions of Yocheved, Moshe's mother, after she could no longer hide him from Pharaoh's decree to kill all male Hebrew infants. The verse details her efforts to protect Moshe by placing him in a waterproofed basket among the reeds of the Nile River.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi explains that Yocheved initially hid Moshe for three months (as mentioned in the previous verse) but could no longer conceal him because the Egyptians began searching Jewish homes. He notes that the term "תֵּבַת גֹּמֶא" (a box made of papyrus) implies a lightweight material, suggesting that Yocheved chose it so the basket would float gently rather than sink or be too heavy.
Symbolism of the Materials
Placement Among the Reeds
The Talmud (Sotah 12a) discusses why Yocheved placed the basket specifically "בַסּוּף" (among the reeds). One opinion suggests it was to protect Moshe from the river's currents, while another explains that reeds were a natural hiding place, as they would not attract attention from Egyptian patrols.
Divine Providence
The Ramban (Nachmanides) emphasizes that this act was part of Hashem's plan to save Moshe and ultimately redeem Bnei Yisrael. The seemingly ordinary details—the materials, the location—were all orchestrated to fulfill the divine promise of redemption.