Written by Rabbi Gidon Goldberg
Dear Parents,
Have you ever considered how strange it is that Paroh’s own daughter rescued a Jewish baby – destined to become the nation’s leader – from the Nile?
The Ibn Ezra points out that Hashem’s hashgachah caused Moshe to be raised in an atmosphere of royalty and power rather than an environment of slavery and submission. If he had been raised as a slave – thinking and acting like a slave – it would have been much more difficult for him to become a leader. He would never have been able to kill the Egyptian mistreating a Jew, nor would he have been brave enough to rescue Yisro’s daughters in Midyon. As a prince, he had the courage and assertiveness to take charge and administer justice. With a slave mentality, that would have been impossible.
The Mir Mashgiach, Rav Yeruchem Levovitz, writes that we learn from this Ibn Ezra the power of chinuch and of a nurturing home. Identical twins will grow up very different from each other if exposed to different atmospheres in their formative years. The proper atmosphere was necessary to “set up” Moshe for success. As parents, we know how important it is to shower our children with love and confidence, while giving them a sense of self and a sense of presence. With such an upbringing, the chances are much higher that the child will grow up demonstrating leadership qualities than an equally talented individual in a different environment.
As we cherish and celebrate our partnership in your children’s growth, let us remember Rav Yeruchem’s words and continue working together to prepare the next generation of leaders of Klal Yisroel.
Gut Shabbos,
Rabbi Gidon Goldberg
Head of School