This week we read the first chapters of a new book. The heroes of this week's Parshah are the woman, specifically Moshe's mother, sister (unnamed at this time), and Bitya, pharaoh's daughter.When the pharaoh told the people of Israel to kill all the baby boys, Moshe's mother had the courage to send him away. Moshe's sister watches as Bitya finds the “ark” with her brother. The Torah tells us, “She took pity on it and said, “This must be a Hebrew child.’” (Exodus 2:6). Biya saved Moshe and allowed his mother to nurse him. This meeting is a moment when humanity and kindness wins over fear and oppression.
In a time when it feels like the world is full of pharoahs. Let’s hope that there will also be Bitya to give us hope and Miriam to show her the way.
For more on the relationship between Bitya and Miriam see Rabbi Naomi Kalish’s dvar torah on parshat shemot: https://www.jtsa.edu/torah/hearing-the-cry/