Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did God seek to kill Moses in Exodus 4:24?
A: According to Rashi and the Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 4:4), God sought to punish Moses because he had delayed circumcising his son. This teaches the importance of fulfilling mitzvot (commandments) promptly, especially the covenant of circumcision (brit milah), which is fundamental in Judaism.
Q: Who saved Moses from being killed in Exodus 4:24?
A: The Talmud (Nedarim 31b-32a) explains that Tziporah, Moses' wife, quickly realized the danger and circumcised their son herself. By doing so, she fulfilled the mitzvah and saved Moses, demonstrating the power of decisive action in performing God's commandments.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Exodus 4:24?
A: This verse teaches the critical importance of brit milah (circumcision) in Jewish tradition. The Rambam (Hilchot Milah 1:1-2) emphasizes that circumcision is a foundational covenant between God and the Jewish people, and neglecting it carries serious consequences, as seen in Moses' case.
Q: Why was Moses held responsible for not circumcising his son?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 4:4) explains that Moses, as a leader of the Jewish people, was held to an even higher standard. His delay in performing this mitzvah could set a negative example, so God intervened to emphasize the urgency and importance of fulfilling commandments without hesitation.
Q: How does Exodus 4:24 apply to Jewish life today?
A: This verse reminds us that mitzvot, especially brit milah, must be performed with diligence and without unnecessary delay. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 260:1) rules that circumcision should take place on the eighth day, even if it falls on Shabbat, showing its supreme importance in Jewish law and tradition.
Context of the Verse
The verse (Shemot 4:24) describes an enigmatic incident where Hashem seeks to kill Moshe Rabbeinu as he returns to Egypt to fulfill his mission of redeeming Bnei Yisrael. This occurs at a lodging place (מָלוֹן) during Moshe's journey.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (based on the Midrash) explains that Moshe was delayed in performing the mitzvah of brit milah (circumcision) for his son Eliezer. Because of this negligence, Hashem sought to kill Moshe. Tziporah, Moshe's wife, immediately understood the danger and performed the circumcision herself, saving Moshe's life (as described in the following verses).
Rambam's Perspective
Rambam (Hilchot Milah 1:8) emphasizes the severity of neglecting this mitzvah, noting that even Moshe Rabbeinu—despite his lofty spiritual level—was held accountable for delaying his son's circumcision. This underscores that no individual, regardless of stature, is exempt from fulfilling mitzvot.
Midrashic Insights
Halachic Implications
The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 260:1) rules that circumcision must not be delayed unnecessarily, deriving this principle from our verse. The Rema adds that even travel does not exempt one from performing milah at the proper time.
Spiritual Lesson
This episode teaches that divine missions—even one as critical as redeeming Klal Yisrael—do not exempt a person from personal mitzvah obligations. Moshe's momentary lapse serves as an eternal reminder of the precision required in Torah observance.