Shmot 5780

Question: Does it make sense that there were only two midwives for the entire Jewish population?

Approach: it seems to be difficult to accept that there were only two. Rather, we can suggest a few possible explanations:

  • They were two in the capital city, where Pharoah ruled
  • They were the head midwives, either in the local area, or for the entire country
  • They were the only two who dared to defy the decree
  • They were the only two non-Israelite midwives to service the Israelite mothers

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