Long ago, the Jewish people, also known as the Israelites, lived in Egypt. They had originally come to Egypt during a time of famine, when Yosef, one of the twelve sons of Yaakov, had become an important leader there. Under Yosef’s guidance, the Israelites had settled in the land of Goshen and lived in peace. But as the years passed, Yosef and his generation passed away, and a new Pharaoh came to power—a Pharaoh who did not know Yosef and did not remember how he had helped Egypt.

This new Pharaoh looked at the Israelites with suspicion. He saw that they had grown into a large and strong community, and he feared that one day they might rise up against him. Instead of welcoming them as friends and neighbours, he chose to treat them as a threat. Pharaoh made the terrible decision to enslave the Israelites, forcing them to work hard under the scorching Egyptian sun, building his cities, carrying heavy stones, and making bricks from mud and straw.

But despite the hard work and suffering, the Israelites continued to grow in numbers. They remained strong and filled with hope, trusting that Hashem was with them. Pharaoh, however, grew even more fearful and decided to take a drastic and terrible step. He ordered that every newborn Israelite boy be taken away. He hoped that this would weaken the Israelite people and stop them from growing even larger.

In this dark and frightening time, an Israelite couple from the tribe of Levi, Amram and Yocheved, were expecting a child. They already had two older children, Miriam, a clever and kind-hearted girl, and Aharon, a gentle and brave boy. Yocheved and Amram were anxious, praying that Hashem would protect their new baby from Pharaoh’s cruel decree.

Finally, the day came, and Yocheved gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. The family was filled with joy and love, but also fear. They knew that if Pharaoh’s soldiers found out about the baby, they would take him away. Yocheved looked down at her newborn son, his tiny hands and peaceful face, and felt a deep resolve to protect him at all costs.

For three months, Yocheved kept her baby hidden. She and Amram worked together, taking turns holding him and keeping him quiet. Miriam, his older sister, helped too, gently rocking him when he cried and singing soft lullabies to soothe him. The whole family did everything they could to keep him safe, praying each day that Hashem would watch over him.

But as the baby grew, it became harder to keep him hidden. His cries grew louder, and Yocheved worried that someone might hear him. She knew she had to find a way to protect him that would keep him safe, even if it meant making a difficult choice.

One evening, Yocheved had an idea—a plan that came from a place of love and deep faith. She decided to place her baby in a small basket and let him float down the Nile River. She carefully wove a basket from reeds and covered it with tar and pitch to make it waterproof, ensuring that it would float and keep her baby safe and dry.

The next morning, with a heavy heart, Yocheved gently placed her son in the basket. She whispered a prayer, asking Hashem to protect him on the water. Miriam, his brave sister, insisted on staying close, following the basket as it drifted down the river, hiding behind bushes and reeds along the riverbank to make sure her little brother was safe.

As the basket floated down the Nile, Miriam kept her watchful eye on it, her heart filled with hope and worry. The basket drifted past trees and birds, floating gently along the water. Soon, it reached a part of the river where a beautiful palace stood on the bank. This was the palace of none other than Pharaoh himself.

At that very moment, Pharaoh’s daughter, Batya, was walking along the riverbank. She enjoyed coming to the river, finding peace away from the palace. Suddenly, she noticed a small basket among the reeds and became curious. She signalled her attendants, who quickly waded into the water and brought the basket to her.

Batya carefully opened the basket and looked inside. To her surprise, she saw a beautiful baby boy, his tiny hands moving and his eyes blinking in the sunlight. The baby began to cry, and Batya felt her heart soften. She knew at once that this was an Israelite child, but she felt a deep compassion for him. She wanted to protect him, to care for him, no matter where he had come from.

As Batya held the baby, Miriam, who had been watching from behind the reeds, gathered her courage and approached her. She bowed respectfully and said, “Shall I go and call a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?”

Batya looked at Miriam with kindness and agreed, saying, “Yes, please do.” Miriam quickly ran back home, her heart racing, and told her mother the news. Yocheved, overjoyed but also astonished, hurried to the riverbank to meet Batya.

Batya handed the baby to Yocheved and said, “Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay you for your help.” Yocheved held her baby close, her heart filled with gratitude and wonder. She realised that Hashem had answered her prayers in a way she could never have imagined. She was able to care for her son and keep him close, all while keeping him safe under the protection of Pharaoh’s daughter.

Yocheved returned home with her baby, knowing that for now, he was safe. She nursed him, cared for him, and watched him grow. She whispered words of love and strength to him, teaching him about his heritage and the strength of their people. She knew that one day, he would have to return to Pharaoh’s palace, but she trusted that Hashem had a plan for her son.

When the boy grew older, Yocheved brought him back to Batya, who took him as her own son. Batya named him Moses, or Moshe in Hebrew, which means “drawn from the water,” because she had drawn him out of the Nile River. Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s palace, surrounded by the riches and teachings of Egypt. But even though he lived in the palace, he never forgot his family or the people he came from.

Batya raised him with love and care, and Moses grew to be wise and strong. As he got older, he often went out among the Israelites, watching them as they worked, their faces filled with hardship and pain. He felt a deep connection to them, and his heart ached to see his people suffering.

Though Moses was raised as a prince of Egypt, he never forgot that he was an Israelite. He saw the struggles of his people and felt their pain as if it were his own. The love and teachings that his mother, Yocheved, had whispered to him stayed in his heart. He knew that Hashem had a special purpose for him and that one day, he would have to make a choice about where he truly belonged.

Little did Moses know, he was destined to become a great leader. Hashem had chosen him to free the Jewish people and lead them to the Promised Land. But for now, he grew and learned, gathering strength and wisdom, preparing for the day when he would hear Hashem’s call.

The story of Moses’ birth teaches us about the courage of Yocheved, who trusted Hashem and protected her child in a time of danger. It also reminds us of the kindness of Batya, who showed compassion for a baby even though he came from a different people. Most of all, it shows us how Hashem has a plan, even in the hardest times, guiding each of us toward our purpose.