Vayikra

Moshe's True Name

Adapted from Yalkut Shimoni Midrash Collection

Vayikra el Moshe – God called to Moshe (Vayikra/Leviticus 1:1)

Midrash teaches: Our biblical poets call Moshe by many names, corresponding to his origins and his many accomplishments.

Levi: his family name.

Tuvia (God's goodness): his birth mother saw that he was a beautiful baby.

Moshe (drawn out of the water): as his adoptive mother, Pharaoh's daughter, named him.

Yekutiel (God is my hope): he helped people hope in God.

Chever (the connector): he connected people with God.

Avishocho (my father conversed): he inspired prophets to converse with the Holy One.

Yered (the one who brings down): he brought the Torah down to the people.

Avigdor (father of limits): he placed limits on the Israelites' behaviour.

Avizanach (my father neglected): he kept people from neglecting God.

Shemaya (Hear, God!): God heard his prayers.

When God spoke to Moshe, which name did God use? Torah tells us: "God called to Moshe." Why this name? Because that is how Batya named him when she drew him out of the water. Who is Batya? Batya means "daughter of God." By birth, she was daughter of Pharaoh. In her actions, she was a daughter of God. She collaborated with a family she did not even know and helped them save a baby.

Thus our sages teach: all of Moshe's life accomplishments pale in comparison to the accomplishment of his adoptive mother, who took a risk to save the life of a single child.

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