... And she said, "This is one of the Hebrews' children" (Ex. 2:6)
How could Pharaoh's daughter have recognized that the child was Jewish, just from his cry? This is because a Jewish cry is unique; even when he weeps, a Jew is filled with hope.
(Rabbi Mordechai Chaim of Slonim)
... And Moses took the staff of G-d in his hand (Ex. 4:20)
While Moses certainly showed Pharaoh the proper honor due a king, he nonetheless "took the staff of G-d in his hand" in all his dealings with him. He was prideful in his heritage, imbued with an attitude of G-dly assurance, and without any feelings of inferiority.
(The Rebbe)
These are the names of the children of Israel coming into Egypt (Ex. 1:1)
The verse says "coming," in the present tense, rather than "who came," in the past tense. For the duration of the 210-year exile in Egypt, the Jews felt as if they had just arrived in that land. They never adopted Egyptian ways and always considered their sojourn temporary.
(Ohel Yehoshua)
G-d heard their groaning, and G-d remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob (Ex. 2:24)
When the Israelites were unable to endure the harsh exile in Egypt, they cried out to G-d. Indeed, G-d heard their cry and sent Moses to redeem them. So it is with us in our present exile. When we cry out, "take us out of exile and bring Moshiach!" G-d will certainly hear our cry and send the Redeemer. Moreover, our mere being in a state of readiness to call upon G-d is already enough for Him to respond, as it states in Isaiah, "Before they call, I will answer, and while yet they speak I will hear."
(the Rebbe)
From our Sages & Moshiach Now! reprinted from LchaimWeekly.org - LYO / NYC
