Shmot

Tayva is translated as box, something rudderless.  

Rabbi Chaim Navon critiques Noah. He notes that the Hebrew word tayvah appears twice in the Torah. The first in relation to Noah who was told to build a tayvah, the word that is translated as ark. Tayvah is also used to describe the “basket” in which baby Moses was placed so that he might float down the river. Thus both Noah and Moses were shielded from harm  by being placed in a tayvah.

Navon also underscores that God’s decision to destroy the world reflected His deep regret that he made man on earth. Hence the Divine edict, “and I will blot out from the earth the men who I created.” (Gen 6: 6.7)

The great sin of the Golden Calf incensed God. In his rage he informed Moses that He would destroy the entire community He had liberated from Egypt and make of him (Moses) a great nation heretofore  known as the Children of Israel, would henceforth bear the name Children of Moses. Moses, however, refused to sit by idly while his people was being destroyed. He this implored God to grant them another chance and remarkably, “the Lord regretted (renounced ) the punishment that He had planned to  bring upon the people.” *Exodus 32:14)

Moses floated down the river, also for survival. . .but this time it was different. He was sent out to survive, in the hopes that somehow he would avoid the evil decree of Pharaoh, and somehow his life would be redeemed for good. Indeed that’s what happened.

The attempt to save him, led to Moses growing up in a life of giving; in a life of leadership.

Though he was saved by Pharaoh’s Daughter and raised in the Palace and given every creature comfort, there was something noble in him that responded to the violence and the oppression he saw against his people.

He intuitively felt the need to come to the aid of another. That’s when he saw the Egyptian task master, beating on a Jewish slave.

Without regard for what it might mean to him in his future as Prince in Egypt, he responded, and that became his life. A life of giving. A life of sharing. A life of standing up to the challenges, and the problems for his whole community, and trying to do something about it. That was Moses.

 

 

Scott Peck, a psychiatrist, in his book, "The Road Less Traveled" who said, "The more I love, the longer I love, the larger I become. Genuine love is self replenishing. The more I nurture the spiritual growth of others, the more my own spiritual growth is nurtured. I’m a totally selfish human being. I never do something for somebody else, but that I do it for myself. As I grow through love, so grows my joy ever more present, ever more constant."

That was Moses’ life. May it be ours!!!