Pharaoh’s despotic plans were defeated as the one individual he sought to destroy grew up right before his eyes. It is interesting to note that the Torah does not document any event in Moshe Rabbeinu’s life from his birth until his attaining maturity, when he “went out to his brethren.” Why is nothing mentioned concerning Moshe’s formative years? Perhaps, this omission is attributed to Moshe’s mission in life. He was destined to become Klal Yisrael’s quintessential leader. Until the moment that he demonstrated his qualities of leadership there was no reason to mention his whereabouts, since it would have no bearing upon his focus in life. The Torah‘s announcement that he “went out to his brethren” is actually a way of divulging Moshe’s birth as the leader of Klal Yisrael. This selfless act of caring crowned him as leader. Indeed, this is the beginning of Moshe Rabbeinu’s life! This is his true birth!
The Torah recounts three incidents in which Moshe took a stand, demonstrating his suitability for the role of leader of Klal Yisrael. In the first incident, he intervened as an Egyptian oppressor was beating a Jew. Overwhelmed by fierce indignation, Moshe slayed the Egyptian and rescued the Jew. In the second incident, he restored harmony among two Jews. In both of these situations Moshe exhibited a love for the Jew and a profound desire to help the oppressed. Yet, these two incidents only reflected Moshe’s patriotic ardor. Whether he was rescuing a Jew from an Egyptian or a persecuted Jew from his evil brother, he demonstrated a passion for a morally strong Jewish people.
It is the third incident, however, that defines Moshe’s essence, while it illuminates his underlying motif in “getting involved” in the first two incidents. Moshe found himself in an alien country where he saw a group of ruffians taking advantage of Yisro’s daughters. His sense of justice, his innate abilities to distinguish right from wrong and to strive to right that wrong, determined his eligibility to be a leader. Moshe cared not about himself. He could not tolerate an injustice, and he immediately intervened to end the travesty. A leader is one whose love for his fellow man and his sense of equity impel him to fight against any form of injustice, regardless of the personal consequences.
