Imagine a mighty king, a ruler of a most powerful country, and on the other hand of the scale two women - a mother and her daughter serving as midwives. Can we, for a brief moment, put ourselves in those women's shoes? How would we react to the command of such a ruler, demanding of us to join in the secret plan of killing all the Jewish male babies? Would we find the courage to defy the order of the king, or perhaps display signs of fear and succumb?
Yochebed and Miriam (mother and sister of Moshe Rabbenu 'a"h), the two Jewish midwives "feared G-d". Not only did they not obey the cruel decree, thereby risking their own lives, but they went out of their way to take special care of the newborns.
Hakham Yoseph Hayyim 'a"h, in his commentary on Pirqe Aboth (Ethics of Fathers) writes that there are those who display their fear of Heaven like a man who carries his wallet in his pocket. Needless to say, the only time he sees his wallet is when he needs to purchase an item. Similarly, these people do not remember the obligation to be a G-d fearing individual. It is only if he sins, G-d forbid, that feelings of fear may arise within him - fear of punishment.
Our fear of Heaven, however, should be likened to the clothes we wear, which are constantly in contact with our eyes! It must always be there, even when times are difficult or when it contradicts our nature.
And the reward?
The Al-mighty rewarded Yochebed and Miriam by having their offspring become Cohanim (Priests), Lewyim (Levites) and kings. May we all merit to reach the level Heaven desires, with courage and deep faith, just like our Jewish Heroines, Yokhebed and Miriam.
