Shemot: How One Family Saved a Nation

In Parshat Shemot, we hear about the early life of Moses: How his mother put him into the Nile as a baby, how he was raised in Pharaoh’s house, how he fled from Egypt... and how God sent him back to lead the Israelites out of slavery. But there’s one detail that’s easy to miss in all the drama. God tells Moses at the burning bush: “Your brother Aaron is coming to meet you, and he is rejoicing in his heart.”

Why does it matter that Aaron is rejoicing? Yes, he’s going to see his long-lost little brother. Yes, he’s going to be the spokesman who helps Moses carry out his mission. But why is it so important for God to note that Aaron is happy about this? And... how will this tiny detail shed light on a mysterious midrash about Moses and the bones of Joseph?

Join Ari Levisohn and Beth Lesch as they explore the surprising connections between Joseph and Moses and uncover a remarkable and moving story about the power of brotherly love.

WEB-EXCLUSIVE EPILOGUE: Ari and Beth continue the conversation and investigate a new midrash, this one highlighting Moses's relationship with his sister Miriam. Check it out here.

For more on how the Passover sacrifice redeems the sale of Joseph on a national level, see Rabbi Fohrman’s series Why Did God Allow Slavery?

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