[Avodah] Sometimes Chutzpah is Praiseworthy

[Michael Makovi]

> PuAh was so named according to one Peshat, since she acted with brazenness
> towards her father – Hofio PaneHa Kenneged AviHa. This refers probably to
> her remarking to her father that his decree was worse than Pharo's. It is
> likely that she is attributed with this name on this particular occasion
> since without her Chutzpah she would not have had a job; no Jewish babies
> would have been born.
>
> But why is this acceptable? Why is the Medrash praising her for this
> temerity and insubordination? Is this the way for a daughter to speak to her
> father? Especially if he is the Gadol Hador? [I believe the Medrash uses
> that expression about Amrom]
>
> One wonders if the answer is that without this Chutzpah, without this
> stinging rebuke the message would not have penetrated.
>
> meir

That seems likely. Also, what else could she say? "Father, doesn't it
say in this book we we're going to get at Sinai, that...?" And it'd
sound a bit weird, "Father, is it not the case that your decree is
worse than Pharaoh's?"

Mikha'el Makovi