The policies of Pharaoh of Egypt changed after the death of Jacob's sons. The children of Israel gradually assimilated into the Egyptian environment, losing self-respect and their identity. The only tribe that did not assimilate, continued to circumcise their sons, and did not obey the decree of forced labor, was the tribe of Levi, which also remained in the region of Goshen where the Hebrews lived in the time of Joseph. Amram and Jochebed, both of the tribe of Levi, had three children: Aaron, Miriam, and Moses. Moses, like Jacob and Joseph, was born circumcised, a characteristic of the Tzaddikim who are called to a mission. The name Moses received from his parents was Jekutiel; however, in the Torah, he is referred to as Moses, the name given to him by Pharaoh's daughter at Jochebed's suggestion.

After Moses was left in the Nile, the edict to kill newborn Jewish boys ceased because the astrologers informed Pharaoh that the Redeemer of Israel had been thrown into the river. Moses was distinguished by his strong sense of justice, his humility, and the empathy he had for his people. He was one of the forty-eight most prominent prophets and possessed the highest level of prophecy because HaKadosh Baruch Hu spoke to him “face to face.”