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Exodus 2:5 - Royal compassion saves destiny

Exodus 2:5 - שמות 2:5

Hebrew Text

וַתֵּרֶד בַּת־פַּרְעֹה לִרְחֹץ עַל־הַיְאֹר וְנַעֲרֹתֶיהָ הֹלְכֹת עַל־יַד הַיְאֹר וַתֵּרֶא אֶת־הַתֵּבָה בְּתוֹךְ הַסּוּף וַתִּשְׁלַח אֶת־אֲמָתָהּ וַתִּקָּחֶהָ

English Translation

And the daughter of Par῾o came down to wash herself at the River; and her maidens walked along by the River’s side; and when she saw the box among the rushes, she sent her maid to fetch it.

Transliteration

Vatered bat-paro lirkhots al-hayeor vena'aroteha holkhot al-yad hayeor vatera et-hateva betokh hasuf vatishlakh et-amatah vatikakheha

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתֵּ֤רֶד בַּת־פַּרְעֹה֙ לִרְחֹ֣ץ עַל־הַיְאֹ֔ר וְנַעֲרֹתֶ֥יהָ הֹלְכֹ֖ת עַל־יַ֣ד הַיְאֹ֑ר וַתֵּ֤רֶא אֶת־הַתֵּבָה֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הַסּ֔וּף וַתִּשְׁלַ֥ח אֶת־אֲמָתָ֖הּ וַתִּקָּחֶֽהָ׃
וַתֵּ֤רֶד בַּת־פַּרְעֹה֙ לִרְחֹ֣ץ עַל־הַיְאֹ֔ר וְנַעֲרֹתֶ֥יהָ הֹלְכֹ֖ת עַל־יַ֣ד הַיְאֹ֑ר וַתֵּ֤רֶא אֶת־הַתֵּבָה֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הַסּ֔וּף וַתִּשְׁלַ֥ח אֶת־אֲמָתָ֖הּ וַתִּקָּחֶֽהָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Daughter of Pharaoh's Discovery

The verse describes how Batya, the daughter of Pharaoh, went down to the Nile to bathe and discovered the basket containing the infant Moshe. Rashi (Shemot 2:5) explains that she went to immerse herself in the Nile because she had converted to Judaism, distancing herself from the idolatrous practices of her father's household. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:23) further elaborates that she was afflicted with leprosy and sought healing through the waters of the Nile, but her true healing came through her righteous act of saving Moshe.

The Role of Batya's Maidens

The verse mentions that her maidens walked along the riverbank. The Talmud (Sotah 12b) notes that the term "her maidens" (נַעֲרֹתֶיהָ) is written defectively (missing a vav), suggesting that they were not merely servants but also her close companions. The Kli Yakar (Shemot 2:5) adds that their presence highlights Batya's royal status, yet she personally took action to retrieve the basket, demonstrating her compassion and leadership.

The Basket Among the Reeds

The Torah states that the basket was "among the reeds" (בְּתוֹךְ הַסּוּף). Rashi explains that this was a miraculous occurrence—the basket was placed there deliberately by Yocheved, Moshe's mother, to protect him from the Nile's currents. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:24) teaches that the reeds were chosen because they are soft and would not harm the child, symbolizing divine providence in Moshe's survival.

Batya's Righteous Deed

Batya's act of sending her maidservant to retrieve the basket is praised in Jewish tradition. The Rambam (Hilchos Melachim 10:9) cites her as an example of a righteous convert whose actions merited her a place in the World to Come. The Talmud (Megillah 13a) even identifies her as the mother of Malchut, linking her lineage to King David and the future redemption.

  • Divine Providence: The placement of the basket and Batya's timely arrival reflect Hashem's hidden hand in guiding Jewish history.
  • Compassion Over Royalty: Despite her royal status, Batya prioritized saving a child, embodying the Jewish value of chesed.
  • Symbolism of the Nile: Just as the Nile was a source of death for Jewish infants, it became a source of life for Moshe, foreshadowing his future role in redemption.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 12b
The verse is discussed in the context of the story of Moshe being found by Par῾o's daughter, highlighting her compassion and the divine providence involved in the event.
📖 Megillah 14a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the righteous women of that generation and their role in the redemption of Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Pharaoh's daughter go to the river to bathe?
A: According to Rashi, Pharaoh's daughter went to the Nile to bathe because she was afflicted with leprosy (tzara'at) and sought healing. The Midrash explains that she went against her father's decree to drown Hebrew boys, showing her compassion and opposition to his cruelty.
Q: Why was Moshe placed in a box among the reeds?
A: The Torah states that Moshe's mother placed him in a tevah (box) among the reeds (suf) to hide him from Pharaoh's decree. Rashi explains that the reeds were chosen because they were soft and could cushion the baby, and the location was near where Pharaoh's daughter often bathed, increasing the chance of his rescue.
Q: What does the verse teach us about Pharaoh's daughter's character?
A: The verse highlights her kindness and bravery. Despite being Pharaoh's daughter, she defied his evil decree by rescuing Moshe. The Talmud (Sotah 12b) praises her righteousness, noting that she stretched out her arm to reach the box, and Hashem miraculously extended her reach to save the child.
Q: Why does the Torah mention her maidens walking by the river?
A: Rashi explains that the maidens walked along the riverbank while Pharaoh's daughter went into the water, showing her greater determination to bathe (possibly for spiritual purification). The Midrash also suggests that her attendants were there to protect her, yet she acted independently in rescuing Moshe.
Q: What is the significance of the word 'tevah' (box) used for Moshe's basket?
A: The term 'tevah' appears only twice in the Torah—here and for Noach's Ark. Rashi notes this connection, teaching that just as Noach's tevah saved humanity, Moshe's tevah saved the future leader of Israel. This hints at Moshe's role in delivering Bnei Yisrael from slavery.