Shifra and Pua: Unraveling the Essence of Biblical Namesakes
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Uncover the profound significance behind names in the Torah, focusing on the story of the heroic midwives in Parashat Shemot. Learn why Shifra and Pua, those revered figures traditionally identified as Moshe's mother and sister, are known by these particular names, imbued with deep reflections of their character and deeds. Join us for an enlightening exploration of how our identities are shaped and the weighty impact of our names in the grand tapestry of life's narrative.
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0:01 The shocking reality is that if you are to wear sandals with your suit on the upcoming Shabbos, your friends may call you interesting or at least think of you as a bit of an oddball. However, if you happen to be blessed and be financially superior, aka wealthy, and you choose to wear sandals with your suit on the upcoming Shabbos, well then you are just eccentric, different but fresh.
0:42 That he's confident. If you are to show up to the ball game, playing ball with your buddies, you dressed odd and you are totally uncoordinated, well then you will be on the Shuganah and perhaps laughed at it. But if you are the best player on the court, again you are just gangster, fresh, colorful, unique. Only what we are speaks louder and is more definitive than what we are called. Except in the real world, in the world of the Torah, when we meet certain individuals and we hear their names.
1:30 Their names matter. They denote and connote certain realities and essences of the person the Shishro's many different names, moshe's many different names. When is he called Yaakov? When is he called Yisrael? Why is he called Yishmael? Names define the person in a way. So it's interesting that in Parashash Shamos, when we meet the two midwives that Fyredashem and did not engage in infacturicide and throw the babies into the Nile, but instead they stood up for what was morally right, and they stood up for Akkadosh Baruchu. They are called by nicknames, pen names Shifra and Pua.
2:16 Rashi points out that these are none other than Moshe's mother and sister, aka Yochheved and Miriam, and Rabirah wants to know why not, then, just say the regular names, why Shifra and Pua? Well, rashi tells us that they were called Shifra and Pua because Pua is the sound that she would make Poo, poo, poo, in a way of cooing to the baby, to relax the baby, to calm the baby. And while that may sound like no reason, have your name be Lullaby or hush hush, poo, poo, like Pua.
3:06 When you are a great person, there are no small parts. It will be colorful because the person in all realities, it seems, elevates whatever he is called. That poo, poo, hush, hush baby, a Lullaby, can be one of the most holy names that it finds its way, even inside of Hashem's holy Torah. So it matters not what you are called. There is not how small of a role in the play you have, for there are no small parts, there are only small actors.