דילוג לתוכן המרכזי בעמוד

Moses and the Baby Goat

By: Ephraim Sidon illustrations: Dani Kerman

Where did the little goat run off to? Why did Moses chase after it with such unflagging determination? This story about Moses and the little kid, told in rhyme, is drawn from a Rabbinic midrash about Moses, and highlights the connection between being a leader and having compassion and care for the weak.

 

Who is a leader?

What do Moses, Rabbi Akiva, our Forefather Abraham, and King David all have in common? Before becoming leaders of our people, they were all shepherds! Many sources stress the similarity between caring for and leading a flock, and leading people. Concern for the needs of each and every single member of the group - even the weakest - has always been considered one of the qualities that make a leader. ThisMidrashic tale about Moses and the thirsty little kid, like other Moses stories, illustrates how even as young man, Moses showed his caring and concern for others – qualities thatlie at the very foundation of being a great leader.

We are all surrounded by people who are in need of help and attention. Moses’ story teaches us the importance of caring for our fellow human beings.

Happy reading!

Age Group: PRESCHOOL

Book-Related Family Activities

The Story of Moses and the Kid appears in Midrash Exodus Rabbah 2:2.

 

Our rabbis said: when Moses our teacher, peace be upon him, was tending Jethro’s flock in the wilderness,

a young kid ran off. He ran after it until he found it in a shady place,

where he saw a pool of water from which the kid had stopped to drink.

When Moses approached it, he said: ‘I did not know that you ran away because of thirst; you must be weary.’ So he placed the kid on his shoulders and carried it back.

The Holy One, Blessed be He,said: “Because you showed compassion while caring for a flock of mortal sheep, you will assuredly tend my flock, Israel.”

Book-Related Video

Copies Distributed:

120,000

Publishing:

כתר

Year of Distribution:

5955 2014-2015