Midrasch zu Schemot 1:17

The midwives asked him, “How are we supposed to know if the baby is male or female?” Rabbi Chanina said: He gave them a sign. If the baby is facing downwards, know that it is a boy, for he is facing the earth from which he was created. And if the baby is facing upwards, know that it is a girl, for she is facing the ribs from which she was created.

Because the midwives feared God (ibid., v. 21).¹¹See Sotah 11b. Tradition tells us that the two mid-wives, Shipra and Puah, were really Miriam and Jochebed. See Exodus Rabbah 1:13. How did the Holy One, blessed be He, reward them? He gave them houses. What houses did he give them? The house of priesthood and the house of kingship. Jochebed received priesthood and kingship, since Aaron became the high priest and Moses became a king: There was a king in Jerusalem (Deut. 33:5). What reward did Miriam receive for herself? Wisdom, as is said: The fear of the Lord is wisdom (Job 28:28), and it is written about Bezalel: And He hath filled him with the spirit of God, for he descended from her.

Now from where did all this glory come?¹⁸Tanh., Exod. 10:4; Exod. R. 48:4. From the tribe of Judah, since it is stated (in Exod. 35:30): <BEZALEL BEN URI BEN HUR> OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH. This text is related (to Job 28:27–28): THEN HE SAW AND DECLARED IT; HE ESTABLISHED IT AND ALSO PROBED IT; AND HE SAID TO THE MAN (i.e., to Moses): SEE, THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS WISDOM; AND TO DEPART FROM EVIL IS UNDERSTANDING. R. Aha and our masters differ.¹⁹Gen. R. 24:5. Our masters say: Two times he uttered the oracle privately to himself. Then after that he spoke to Israel. Thus it is stated (in Job. 28:27): THEN HE SAW AND DECLARED IT. That was one <time>. (Ibid., cont.:) HE ESTABLISHED IT AND ALSO PROBED IT. That was the second <time>. Then after that he said (in vs. 28): AND HE SAID TO THE MAN (Moses). But R. Aha said: Four times, as stated (in vs. 27): THEN HE SAW AND DECLARED IT; HE ESTABLISHED IT AND ALSO PROBED IT.²⁰Exod. R.40:1. Ergo: Four times.²¹R. Aha understands each verb as referring to a separate revision of the oracle. From whom do you learn it? From Jochebed²²Moses’ mother. and Miriam. What is written (in Exod. 1:15)? THEN THE KING OF EGYPT {PROCLAIMED} [SAID] TO THE <HEBREW> MIDWIVES.²³The midrash assumes that the midwives were Jochebed and Miriam, even though Exod. 1:15 names them Shiphrah and Puah. On the identification of Jochebed and Miriam with Shiphrah and Puah, see Sot. 11b; Sifre to Numb. 10:29–36 (78); Exod. R. 1:16. What did he say to them (in vs. 16)? LOOK AT THE BIRTHSTOOL. Why did he do so? Because the astrologers²⁴Gk.; astrologoi. had said to them: On this day the redeemer of Israel shall be born, but we do not know whether he is an Egyptian or not. At that time he assembled all the Egyptians and said to them: Lend me your sons for one day, since it is stated (in Exod. 1:22): EVERY SON BORN <YOU SHALL THROW INTO THE NILE>. "< Every son> of Israel" is not written here, but EVERY SON, whether Israelite or Egyptian. (Exod. 1:17:) BUT THE MIDWIVES FEARED <GOD>. So how did the Holy One repay them? (Vs. 3:) HE ESTABLISHED HOUSEHOLDS FOR THEM: Priestly households, Levitical households, and kingship. Jochebed received priesthood and kingship as her reward < through her sons>, Moses²⁵According to Deut. 33:5, HE (Moses) BECAME KING IN JESHURUN. See Tanh., Exod. 10:4; Exod. R. 48:4. and Aaron. What did Miriam receive as her reward? Wisdom, for it is stated (in Job 28:28): SEE, THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS WISDOM. From her he brought forth Bezalel, who was wise, as stated (in Exod. 31:3): AND I HAVE FILLED HIM WITH THE DIVINE SPIRIT <IN WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, AND KNOWLEDGE >.