Leader and lawgiver of the Jewish people, son of Abraham and Yochebed, brother of Aaron. His mother set him afloat on the Nile in a reed basket to save him from an edict calling for the death of all newborn Hebrew males. He was found and brought up by the Pharaoh’s daughter. He killed an Egyptian who beat a Jew and had to flee to Midian where he lived 40 years. God spoke to Moses from a burning bush and told him to deliver the Hebrews from Egypt. The exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt lasted 40 years. On mount Sinai Moses received the Law, including the Ten Commandments and a number of other codes and rules and upon god’s prescription he made a portable tent for public worship: the Tabernacle where the Arc of the Covenant was. Moses’ life and the contents of the Law received by him are recounted in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy that together with Genesis are collectively called the Pentateuch. Feast day: 4 (17) September.
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