Page 22 - bHAGADA PASSOVER
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Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, journeyed with his family to the
land of Egypt. Why did Jacob journey to Egypt? Because Joseph, his son
by his beloved Rachel, had become prime minister to Pharaoh, king of
Egypt. When a famine broke out in Canaan, Joseph asked his father and
all his family to join him there. Then Joseph granted his father and his
brothers land, as Pharaoh commanded. And Israel dwelt in the land of
Goshen; and they were fruitful and multiplied exceedingly.
The years passed and Joseph died, as did all of his his brothers, and
all that generation. A new Pharaoh rose over Egypt, who knew nothing
of Joseph. Pharaoh and his advisers grew alarmed by this great nation
growing within their borders, so they enslaved the people of Israel. They
were forced to perform hard labor and act as servants. Pharoah feared that
even as slaves, the Israelites might grow strong and rebel. So he decreed
that Israelite baby boys should be drowned, to prevent the Israelites from
overthrowing those who had enslaved them.
One couple, Amram and Yocheved, refused to kill their newborn son.
Instead, they hid him in their hut for three months. When his cries became
too loud Yocheved placed him in a basket on the river. Their daughter
Miriam watched to ensure the child had a safe passage.
Pharaoh's daughter came to bathe in the river and she discovered the
basket. She felt pity for the helpless child and decided to keep him as
her own. She named him Moshe (Moses), which means "drawn from the
water." Bravely, Miriam asked the princess if she needed a nurse to help
her with the baby. The princess said yes, and so it happened that Yocheved
was able to care for her own son and teach him about his heritage.
