Moshe's True Greatness
A lesson from the Tiferes Shlomo Parshas Shemos
ויגדל משה ויצא אל אחיו
And Moshe grew up and went out to his brethren
And Moshe grew up and went out to his brethren
In two adjacent Pesukim, the Torah uses the phrase ויגדל משה, "and Moshe grew up". Rashi resolves the repetition by explaining that the first use of these words refers to Moshe's physical growth and development. The subsequent use of the phrase refers to Moshe attaining greatness.
Presumably this refers to Moshe being elevated with in Pharaoh's palace and attaining a rank or position of leadership. However, the Tiferes Shlomo shares a deeper insight, that touches on the very character trait that Moshe the greatest leader of the Jewish people.
Tanna Dbei Eliyahu teaches that Moshe merited his greatness on account of being pained for two things - the honour of Hashem and the honour of the Jewish people.
Moshe's greatness was because of his boundless Ahavas Yisrael, loving each Jew like a brother. Just as we love our siblings no matter what, Moshe's love and care extended to every Jew and he only sought to bring blessing and goodness to them, even if they were sinners.
This is the meaning of the verse, that describes how Moshe went out to see the suffering of the Jewish people in their slavery. It describes them as "his brothers", alluding to this deep love that he felt for each one of them. This was ויגדל משה, the greatness that Moshe attained.
Presumably this refers to Moshe being elevated with in Pharaoh's palace and attaining a rank or position of leadership. However, the Tiferes Shlomo shares a deeper insight, that touches on the very character trait that Moshe the greatest leader of the Jewish people.
Tanna Dbei Eliyahu teaches that Moshe merited his greatness on account of being pained for two things - the honour of Hashem and the honour of the Jewish people.
Moshe's greatness was because of his boundless Ahavas Yisrael, loving each Jew like a brother. Just as we love our siblings no matter what, Moshe's love and care extended to every Jew and he only sought to bring blessing and goodness to them, even if they were sinners.
This is the meaning of the verse, that describes how Moshe went out to see the suffering of the Jewish people in their slavery. It describes them as "his brothers", alluding to this deep love that he felt for each one of them. This was ויגדל משה, the greatness that Moshe attained.