Yocheved: The Woman Who Brought Redemption into the World

Born Between the Walls: A Child of Exile and Hope

Yocheved was the daughter of Levi, the aunt and wife of Amram, and the mother of Aharon, Moshe, and Miriam. According to tradition, she was born as the family of Yaakov descended into exile in Egypt, specifically "between the walls" of the border, as they entered Egyptian territory. While the Torah states that 70 members of Yaakov’s family came to Egypt, only 69 are listed by name. Our sages explain that Yocheved completed the count of 70, born just as the Israelites crossed into Egypt.

The timing was no coincidence. Her birth at the very start of exile, and the later birth of her child, Moshe, who would ultimately lead the people out of Egypt, represent a core truth in Jewish tradition: even at the darkest moments of exile, God is already paving the path to salvation.

Defying Pharaoh: Yocheved’s Role in Preserving Jewish Life

The Talmud (Sotah 12a) teaches that when Pharaoh decreed all newborn Jewish boys be cast into the Nile, Amram (Yocheved’s husband and the spiritual leader of the generation) divorced her to prevent further Jewish suffering. Others followed his lead. But his daughter Miriam protested: “Your decree is worse than Pharaoh’s! He targeted only boys; you are preventing all children from being born.”

Hearing this, Amram remarried Yocheved. The verse in Shemot alludes to this reunion: “A man from the house of Levi went and took a daughter of Levi.” Rashi, based on the Midrash, explains that Yocheved was 130 years old at the time, yet miraculously gave birth to Moshe. The Ramban adds: “This was a great wonder, greater than that of Avraham… God delayed the birth of the redeemers so that the time of redemption would be right.”

The Talmud (Bava Batra 120a) explains that Yocheved was physically rejuvenated at the time of her remarriage; her youth was restored and her beauty returned.

Midwife of Faith: Yocheved’s Courage and Legacy

According to the Talmud, Yocheved was “Shifra,” one of the two righteous Hebrew midwives who defied Pharaoh’s command to kill Israelite baby boys. Her fear of God gave her the strength to save innocent lives. As Shemot Rabbah teaches, she was rewarded: from her came Moshe, who received the Torah from God, which is forever known as “Torat Moshe” (the Torah of Moshe).

Yocheved’s righteousness was so renowned that Midrash Tadshe lists her among the 23 great women of Israel, alongside Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, and Leah. Midrash HaGadol connects her to the verse in Mishlei, “She considers a field and buys it,” interpreting this as a reference to Yocheved, through whom the Jewish people became God’s cherished vineyard. Even her name, Yocheved, is seen as an allusion to kavod (glory), as her face radiated Divine beauty.

According to tradition, Yocheved is buried in the Tomb of the Matriarchs in Tiberias, alongside Tzipporah (Moshe’s wife), Elisheva bat Aminadav (Aharon's wife), Bilhah and Zilpah (wives of Yaakov), and Rachel, the wife of Rabbi Akiva.

Yocheved’s life story teaches that God plants the seeds of redemption even before suffering begins. Through wisdom, bravery, and unwavering faith, she preserved the future of the Jewish people and raised a generation that would bring them out of slavery and receive the Torah.