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LEAD TIDBIT Avraham Avinu did not want to expel Yishmael and Hagar; Sara Imeinu was more perceptive and pragmatic and insisted - G-d backed her up. Yitzchak Avinu loved Eisav and wanted him to receive the main bracha; Rivka Imeinu was more perceptive and pragmatic and engineered matters (divinely inspired) so that Yaakov would receive the brachot. Yaakov Avinu loved Rachel and wanted to marry only her. Rachel Imeinu was more perceptive and pragmatic and sacrificed her happiness so that her sister Leah would become the mother of the majority of Shivtei Kah. Imagine what would have happened if the Imahot had not prevailed. Now we come to Sh'mot. The children of Israel are subjected to slavery and oppressive decrees. Two midwives (maybe Yocheved and Miriam and maybe just two unknown heroines among many) risk their lives to save Jewish baby boys so that the nation can survive. Amram, leader of the community, decrees that husbands and wives should separate and not bring children into their world of misery and hopelessness. Miriam prophesies that Amram's decree is harsher than that of Par'o. As a result, Amram and Yocheved reunite and Moshe Rabeinu is born. Baby Moshe's life is in danger: his mother
Yocheved, his sister Miriam, and the daughter of Par'o save his life. The men in Egypt despaired; the women adorned themselves and lifted the morale of their husbands. Because of righteous women, our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt. Way to go! [The Parshat
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