Many tried and failed, and the staff remained in the ground of Yisro’s garden. It was made of a precious stone and had on it wondrous writings and carvings, but no one was able to remove it from the ground.
One day, as Moshe strolled through the garden, he noticed the staff. He walked over and pulled on it. Without the slightest effort, the staff slid from the ground into his hand. He then took it inside the house with him.
Yisro was sitting in the house when Moshe walked in.
“What have you there?” asked Yisro with wonder in his voice.
“It is a staff that I found rooted in the ground in your garden,” answered Moshe.
“What? Did you remove the staff?”
“Yes. Is there something wrong?”
“No,” responded Yisro. “On the contrary, you have succeeded in doing what no other man has been able to. Now, I shall keep my word. If you are willing, you may have my daughter Tzipporah as your wife.”
Moshe And The Kid
Moshe was chosen to be the greatest leader the Jewish people ever had, not because of his great wisdom or his magnificent bravery. He had all these qualities, but there was one quality more important.
One day, as Moshe was tending Yisro’s flocks, he took the sheep and goats to the edge of the desert area where there was soft grass.
Suddenly, he saw a kid run from the flock and head in the direction of the desert.
“Stop!” cried Moshe, and he began to pursue the kid.
The animal, seeing Moshe pursue it, grew frightened and began to run even faster. It headed directly for a spring of water and began to drink thirstily.
Moshe saw what happened and realized that the kid had not intended to escape, but rather was very thirsty and merely wanted to drink.
Coming closer, Moshe put his arms around it and said, “My little kid, I am sorry. Had I known that you were thirsty, I would never have chased you and frightened you.”
He allowed the kid to finish drinking, and then lifted it to his shoulder and carried it back to the flock.
And the Almighty looked down and saw Moshe’s actions, and said, “How great are your mercies, Moshe. You have pity on a kid because you are merciful. Because of this you are fit to be the leader of My flock Israel, and I know that you will be a faithful shepherd and a merciful leader for them, too.”
The Burning Bush
One day as Moshe was in the desert with the flocks he noticed a strange bush. It was very low and bent, and there were no flowers or leaves on it – just thorns.
“How strange,” thought Moshe as he looked at it. “It is so similar to my people who have become low and depressed and who have become ugly because of their slavery.”
And as he continued to look at it, a flame suddenly burst forth from the midst of the bush.
“The bush is similar to my people,” thought Moshe. “Is this flame meant to represent the enemies of the Jews who will consume them?”
But even as he thought these words, Moshe beheld a wonderful thing. The flames surrounded the bush and encircled it, but could not consume it.
“This is a good sign,” he said happily. “Just as the flame could not consume the bush, so shall the enemies of the Jews never be able to overcome them.”
G-d now spoke to Moshe for the first time, but, not wishing to frighten him, made His voice sound like that of his father Amram.