Every generation has its special people. In Egypt two such people were called Shifra and Puah.

Shifra and Puah were not their real names. Shifra’s real name was Yocheved, and would later give birth to Moshe. Puah was her daughter, known to us by her real name, Miriam. But as the midwives of the Jewish people they acquired nicknames, and are known to us in their professional capacity by those nicknames.

Rashi tells us that Yocheved was called “Shifra” because she made the child look beautiful (in Hebrew “mishaperes”). Miriam was called “Puah” because she would coo and calm the baby (in hebrew “poah”). The tasks described seem to be standard for the field of birthing. Why were these women given nicknames in recognition of doing things so routine?

I once had the opportunity to meet a man who was known simply as Reb Sholom. People said he was a “survivor”, referring of course to the holocaust. When I first met Reb Sholom I noticed that the pockets of his jacket were bulging. I was young and curious and I soon learned that he carried candies in his pockets, which he would distribute regularly to the children he would meet. People said he carried candy because on the death marches there was no food, so today he always carries something sweet. But it was a few weeks before I really began to appreciate Reb Sholom.

I had the privilege one Thursday night to witness one of Reb Sholom’s projects. Under the name “Tomchei Shabbos” a group of volunteers would provide food to assist tens of needy families in the community. Boxes were arranged neatly, each one stapled with an order form of what the volunteers should place in the box. The boxes destined for larger families would get multiple packages of chicken, while those meant for a couple had an order form that was more appropriate. On the bottom of the order form in small letters was an address, no name, which would direct volunteers to the proper home. When the boxes were ready, each volunteer would be assigned a neighborhood that he was not familiar with. The rules were, put the box at the front door and then ring the bell. If they come right away greet them pleasantly and wish them a “Good Shabbos.” If they don’t answer right away just leave the box and discreetly make your way back to the car.

I was caught up in the excitement of the mitzvah, when suddenly everything came to a standstill. The boxes were finished. Everything was “good to go”. Reb Shalom had arrived for the final review. Only he knew the story behind each address. As he rechecked the diligent work of the volunteers, I noticed that he was holding a shopping bag filled with packages of candy. As he recognized a box headed for a family with young children, he would drop a bag of candy in as a Shabbos treat. I looked at him with a wondering sort of look, and he understood my unasked question. “Why didn’t you just include the candy in the original order form.” He smiled and said, “The candy is something that I need to do.”

Yocheved and Miriam were very efficient midwives. Everyone knew of their professionalism and success. But it was the extra touch that endeared them to the people. Besides the health of the mother and child, they wanted to make sure that they cared for all the needs of those who were placed in their care. Yocheved would make the child look beautiful. The medrash tells us that if the family couldn’t afford clothes for the newborn, Yocheved made sure that the baby was properly dressed. She made sure that the family would enjoy the celebration. Miriam would care for the child, but she did so much more than that. In a time of slavery when people wondered if it was worth having another child, Miriam’s loving coo would infuse the families with hope for a better tomorrow.

It is no wonder that it was into this family that our teacher Moshe was born. From the kindness that he would perform to the shepherds, daughters of Yisro, to the momentous act of redemption from Egypt, Moshe’s life is devoted to kindness and salvation. It is from this family which knew the power of going “beyond professionalism” that the ultimate kindness would be born. Moshe would ultimately be the conduit of the word of G-d…to share life’s meaning through Torah to the Jewish people.

With best wishes for a wonderful Shabbos,