Names and Anonymity

A man of the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi.         Exodus 2:1

            It is interesting to note that the participants in the story of the birth of Moses and his salvation as an infant are not named: a man of the house of Levi, a daughter of Levi, his sister [v. 4], the daughter of Pharaoh [v. 5], despite the fact that all their names are known. Perhaps it is ironic that this appears in the second chapter of the Book of Shemot (the literal meaning is “names”).

            Indeed, Rabbi Ḥayyim Paltiel (one of the later Tosafists, mid-13^th – early 14^th centuries) expresses his astonishment over this point and leaves the question with the comment “It requires reflection.”

            We may suggest that the anonymity of the participants in the story is intended to convey the message that they are not the true doers, rather everything is in the hands of God’s providence, and the participants are merely His means for realizing the Divine plan of the birth of the savior of Israel.

Indeed, Zohar [Shemot 11b] writes;

“And a man went” – this is Amram, “And married a daughter of Levi” – this is Yocheved; the Divine voice descended and instructed Amram to mate with Yocheved, since the time for the salvation of Israel by the son they would bear approached.

In a bolder comment, Zohar elucidates:  “Another thing, ‘And a man went’ – this is the Holy One, blessed be He.”

            Certainly according to Zohar’s latter statement, Amram and Yocheved are merely God’s tools to bring the savior of Israel into the world.

            This suggestion highlights the contrast between the description of Moses’ birth and his conversation with God at the burning bush. After asking God “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should take the children of Israel out of Egypt?” [Exodus 3:11], the second question the Master of all Prophets, was “(When) they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?” [ibid. v. 13] God’s answer to Moses was “Say to the children of Israel, 'Ehyeh (I will be) has sent me to you' … This is My name forever, and this is how I should be mentioned in every generation." [ibid. vs. 14-15]

            The names of the human actors who carry out the Divine program are not important; the only significant name is that of He Who plans and executes the program.