In this week's parsha we begin to read about the bondage of the Jewish People in the land of Egypt. One of the first decrees against the Jewish People was that Paroah commanded the Jewish midwives Shifra and Pua (Yocheved and Miriam, the mother and sister of Moshe Rabbenu) to kill every male child born while still on the birth stool. These two woman were extremely righteous and G-d Fearing, they received prophecy and had attained tremendous levels spiritual refinement. 

Rav Wosner ZTL points out though that only after they were commanded to fulfill this evil decree of Paroah and they refused to comply, does the Torah state that they were rewarded with "houses" meaning that the priests and kings of the Jewish People would be from their offspring. If they were already so righteous why only now are they rewarded. He points out that now they were faced with a tremendous test, to disobey a direct order from most the most powerful man in the world who could kill them in the blink of an eye. They stood up with great bravery and saved all of the male children from death. It was standing up to this test for which they were rewarded greatly.

Now is a time of year when we focus on standing up to tests and restraining unhealthy desires. Every person on their own level has different tests, but whatever our level is we need to strengthen ourselves and realize the tremendous reward that awaits us for standing against the unhealthy and forbidden desires of physicality.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath