In the first Sidra of the Book of Shemot we read about the birth of Moshe. Nowhere in the Sidra is the name of his parents mentioned. In this week’s Sidra we are first told that his parents were Amram and Yocheved. וַיִּקַּח עַמְרָם אֶת יוֹכֶבֶד, “Amram took his aunt Yocheved as a wife and she bore him Aharon and Moshe…” (Ex. 6,20)
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein gives a very interesting explanation for this. He says that their names were not mentioned until Moshe had been chosen to be the redeemer of the Jews. This is a lesson for parents who are privileged to have exceptionally gifted children.
Even if their children are brilliant and display potential abilities, the parents cannot be certain that they will automatically turn out to be successful. They must invest in them much energy and guidance to direct them in the proper road to success. It is only after the children have succeeded and reached their potential that the parents can take credit for their success.
Moshe’s parents were not named until the Torah reveals the position Moshe had attained. Only then were Amram and Yocheved mentioned.
Torah Portion 