The Power of Women Behind the Scenes in Parshat Shemot
“Following the story of Tzipporah - the parsha speaks about Moses and Pharaoh, and the story is very well known, but between the lines you can find quite a few heroines who led what you might call ‘behind the scenes,’ and their stories don’t always get the attention they deserve. I would even say this parsha is dedicated to the power of women. From the beginning of the parsha with Shifra and Puah, then Yocheved, Miriam, (even Pharaoh’s daughter), and finally Tzipporah. What can you say about this?”
You raise an important and moving point: Parshat Shemot, despite focusing on the beginning of the redemption story through Moses and Pharaoh, is saturated with the active, leading, and shaping presence of women who sometimes acted behind the scenes but were a decisive force in the course of history. These women did not merely fill important roles - they also embodied values of courage, faith, and compassion.
The Power of Women in the Parsha
In Parshat Shemot there is a chain of women who act quietly and with determination, each in her own way, to change reality:
- Shifra and Puah, the Hebrew midwives, stood up against Pharaoh’s decree: “Va-tomarna ha-meyaldot el Par’oh ki lo ka-nashim ha-Mitzriyot ha-Ivriyot, ki chayot heina be-terem tavo aleihen ha-meyaledet ve-yaladu” (And the midwives said to Pharaoh: Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous - before the midwife comes to them, they have already given birth.) (Exodus 1:19)
Through their actions, they risked their lives but saved the children’s lives. In doing so, they taught us what civic courage and morality mean - even in the face of tyranny.
- Yocheved - The Mother Who Refuses to Give Up
Yocheved, Moses’ mother, risked herself to protect her son, defying the decree, and hid him for three months: “Va-tahar ha-isha va-teled ben, va-tere oto ki tov hu va-titzpenehu shelosha yerachim” (And the woman conceived and bore a son, and she saw that he was good, and she hid him for three months.) (Exodus 2:2)
Yocheved symbolizes maternal care and sacrifice, maintaining hope even in times of destruction and danger.
- Miriam - Sister, Leader, and Visionary
Miriam stayed to watch the basket in which Moses was placed, to ensure his fate: “Va-tetatzav achoto me-rachok, le-de’ah mah ye’aseh lo” (And his sister stationed herself at a distance, to know what would happen to him.) (Exodus 2:4)
In time, Miriam would become a leader and prophetess. Here, even at a young age, she takes responsibility and watches over her brother.
- Pharaoh’s Daughter - Courage and an Open Heart
Pharaoh’s daughter saves Moses from the water, despite being the daughter of the one who decreed that Hebrew boys be thrown into the Nile: “Va-tiftach va-tirehu et ha-yeled ve-hineh na’ar bocheh, va-tachmol alav va-tomer mi-yaldei ha-Ivrim zeh” (And she opened it and saw the child, and behold, a boy was crying, and she had compassion on him and said: This is one of the Hebrew children.) (Exodus 2:6)
She displays human compassion and helps raise the redeemer of the people of Israel - an act that shows us how a person can choose good, even when they exist within a system of evil.
- Tzipporah - A Woman of Action
Tzipporah, Moses’ wife, removes danger in a practical way when she circumcises her son (Exodus 4:25): “Va-tikach Tzipporah tzor va-tichrot et orlat benah va-taga le-raglav, va-tomer ki chatan damim atah li” (And Tzipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and touched his feet, and she said: You are a bridegroom of blood to me.) (Exodus 4:25)
Through her actions, Tzipporah demonstrates resourcefulness and determination - she does not wait for Moses to act, but takes initiative, removes the danger, and ensures the mission continues.
The Power of Women in the Redemption
Together, these women represent the power of women in leading historical and spiritual change:
- Courage and boldness: Standing up against mighty forces, like Pharaoh, out of faithfulness to conscience.
- Forward vision: The women acted from a deep belief that reality could change.
- Resourcefulness and practicality: The women in the parsha do not settle for words or feelings but take action, even at personal risk.
- The behind-the-scenes role: While the parsha focuses on the crisis and the redemption, it was many women who quietly and sensitively drove the redemption forward.
A Broader View - Women and Redemption Across the Generations
The Torah teaches us that redemption often begins thanks to righteous women. As our Sages said:
“Rav Avira expounded: In the merit of the righteous women of that generation, Israel was redeemed from Egypt.” (Sotah 11b)
Summary
Parshat Shemot highlights the power of women as shapers of the future and as leaders. The women of the parsha - Shifra, Puah, Yocheved, Miriam, Pharaoh’s daughter, and Tzipporah - teach us that leading redemption is not the domain of visible leaders alone. They acted out of faith, compassion, and courage, and in doing so influenced the future of the people of Israel for generations.