The American Jewish world. [volume] (Minneapolis ;) 1915-current, 1921-04-22
deliverer of Israel, and so gave him
his daughter, Zipporah, as his wife.

Aaron's first appearance before Phar-
aoh, a later legend has it that when
they approached the gate Of the royal
palace, they found two young lions
chained there, guarding the gate.
Moses swung his staff over them;
they were unclaimed, and they glee-
fully followed him into the palace, as
if they were but playful dogs. Phar-
aoh was amazed at it. He called all
his magicians, including Balaam, and
asked their opinion regarding the two
men. When Balaam heard the story
about the young lions, he said: "Sure-
~ these men are magicians like our
selves; send for them and we shall
put them to test" The king acted
accordingly.
Another legend has it that when
Moses and Aaron stood before Phar-
oah, they appeared to him like Gods
ministering angels, of a height like
that of the cedars Of Lebanon, with
eyes like suns, with boards like the
clusters of foliage of palms, with
faces lustrous as the sun. Their ut
terances appeared like flames of fire.
There were four hundred entrances
in Pharaoh's palace, each entrance
guarded by lions, bears and other
wild beasts. Yet these animals gath
cred around them, followed them, and
licked their feet. Pharaoh and his
encourage, including all the kings Of
the East and West, were sorely fright
ened. They removed their crowns and
paid them homage.
When Moses and Aaron betook
themselves to Pharaoh, the king was
holding a reception, and all the am
bassadors and grandees of the en-
pire were there in their gala attire.
Moses and Aaron stood at the doors.
The chamberlain reported to the king
that two old men were seeking adj
mittance. AS they were poorly clad,
they were admitted last. "What do
you wish ?" asked the king. They an
swered: eve are here with a com
mission from the Lord, the God Of
Israel, who desires that thou let his
people 60" "Who is this God 2"
queried Pharaoh; 81 know him not"
He, thereupon, drew forth his note
book, looked over the list of gods en-
tered therein, but could find no men
ton of the God Of Israel. Moses and
Aaron then said: "Thou art like the
servant of a priest who looks for
his master in the cemetery Ca priest
is not allowed to be among the dead).
Thy gods are all dead gods, while our
God is living God Thou wilt not
find Him on thy list"
After the tenth plague, that Of the
death Of all the first born, so runs the
legend, Pharaoh roamed the streets
all night looking for Moses to urge
him and his people at once to depart
from Egypt. When Moses was finally
found by him and he heard his urgent
request. he remonstrated: care we
thieves" said he, "that we should es-
cape by night? God has ordered us
not to leave till morning." AS Phar-
aoh was insistent, Moses asked: "Why
art thou taking all this trouble to
urge us to go now?" Pharaoh re-
piled: "I, too, am first born, and
I fear that must die with the rest"
Moses treasured him: Gear not" he
said, "thy time has not come yet A
more spectacular death is awaiting
thee, namely, the Red Sea-"
According to the Bible story, Moses,
in fulflment of the oath the brethren
of Joseph had taken, carried the re-
mains of Joseph along with him from