"For Instruction shall come forth from Zion, The word of the L-rd from Jerusalem." -- Isaiah 2:3

Jerusalem

Torah Verses

Excerpt Sources

Complete List of Source Books

Navigate the Excerpts Browser

Before accessing the excerpts, please review a word about copyright.

Are you more of an "I'll dive right in and figure it out" person, or a "Show Me How This Thing Works" person?  If the former, go right ahead and try the excerpts browers on the right side of this page and/or scroll through the excerpts that start below the following information -- although we still suggest reading the information first.  If you are the latter, click here for a video demonstrating the Excerpts Browser. Either way (or both), enjoy! 

This page is recommended for searches limited to specific Torah books, weekly portions (parshiot), chapters, verses, and/or sources (authors). For keyword and/or for exact phrase (including verse and source) searches of the entire excerpts database, we recommend using the Search Engine page.  For broadest results, use both pages and alternative search strategies. 

This page displays the full text of all or "sorted" (filtered) excerpts in the database.  Use the "Torah Verses" and/or "Excerpt Sources" browsers at the right to locate the excerpts associated with your desired Torah book, portion, chapter. verse, or author.  Or, simply scroll through the excerpts, using the "boxes" at the bottom of any page displaying excerpts to "jump" ahead or back. 

Also note that immediately below the chapter, verse, and keyword of each excerpt is a highlighted line comprised of multiple links.  Clicking on any of the links will limit (filter) the excerpts display to the selected category.  

Transcription of excerpts is incomplete.  For current status, please see "Transcribed Sources" on the Search Engine page.  To assist with completion, please see "Contributors" page. 

137

EXODUS | 1:17 feared — EXOD17 The midwives risked their lives by defying...

EXOD17 The midwives risked their lives by defying Pharaoh's order to kill the male babies. They saved thousands of Jewish children from death, not merely by passively allowing them to live, but by actively supplying them with food (See Rashi on this verse). How great it was their heroism! "Whoever saves one life it is if he has saved an entire world" Sanhedrin 37a. All the more so the midwives to save so many lives. But when the Torah praises them, what words does it use? "But the midwives feared God, and they did not do as the king of Egypt had spoken to them." The Torah emphasizes that their main virtue was their awareness of God. All virtues depend on this attribute, for it is the main achievement in life. Moreover, the only means by which two women could acquire such bravery to defy the orders of the king of Egypt is by their having fear of a greater King--Almighty God. Ohr Yohail, vol. 2. Shmos.

Share

Print
Source KeyPLYN
Verse1:17
Keyword(s)feared
Source Page(s)130-1

Comment

Collapse Expand Comments (0)

You are replaying to

Your comment was added, but it must be approved first.

Please enter your name
Please enter your email adressPlease enter valid email adress
Please enter a comment
Please solve Captcha.
Add Comment
Back To Top