“And The name of the first son was Eliezer …” (18:4)
In this week’s Parsha it says that the name of Moshe Rabbeinu’s son was Gershom. The Torah then tells us the name of his second son. Surprisingly, it says, referring to the second son, “And the name of the first son was Eliezer” (Shemos 18:4). The first son was not Eliezer, but rather Gershom. Why does the Torah express itself this way? It’s obviously not a mistake.
I heard from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita an incredible thought from the Malbim: Very often a second child is considered to be inferior to the first child. The second child suffers a sort of “middle child syndrome.” Here the Torah is telling us that every child has to be treated as an only child. “And the name of the first one” is a true statement even as it applies to the third child or fourth child – and certainly the second child.
Each child says the Malbim, brings a special and distinct power to the parent along with mazel – a unique blessing. Every child deserves to be treated as if they are your only one. Every child is special, every child is your only one, and every child is extraordinary.
