What is the shape of Moses’ Basket? What similarities does it have with Noah’s Ark?
Answer: Noah’s Ark and Moses’ Basket were the EXACT same shape. They were both a rectangle. (Obviously different sizes). They are both called a “Teyvah” (Hebrew for Ark).
There are a lot of similarities between Noah’s Ark and Moses’ Basket (Ark):
- Both the Ark and the Basket “delivered” the Israelites through the water
- Noah’s Ark protected Noah’s family and the animals from the flood
- Moses’ Basket delivered Moses (and later the Israelites) from the Egyptians through the Nile and Red Sea
- Both Arks created a fresh beginning for the Israelites/World
- Water destroyed the Earth in Noah’s flood and the Red Sea swallowed the Egyptians
And a little more:
- Noah is the first reference in the Torah to a “Righteous Tzadik” person. Genesis 6:9, p. 11 JPS
- Moses is referred to as the most “humble man” in the entire Torah. “Now Moses was a humble (anav) man, more so than any man on earth.” Numbers 12:3, p. 310 JPS
- Neither the Ark, nor Moses’ basket was a traditional boat with a keel, easily steered or directed. Both vessels were subject to the ebb and flow of the tides and water, subject only to the will of the water, to fate, and perhaps God’s will.
Here is one take-away from the stories of Noah’s Ark and Moses’ Basket: Deliverance and liberation may mean accepting that there are forces that are beyond our control.
Torah References for the Ark/Basket
Noah’s Ark is a rectangle. Genesis 6:9, p. 11 JPS
- “Make yourself an Ark (Teyvah in Hebrew) of gopher wood…the length of the ark should be 300 cubits, its width 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits”
- Noah is the first reference of a “Righteous Tzadik” person Genesis 6:9, p. 11 JPS
Moses’ Basket: Exodus 2:3, p. 114 JPS
- “When she could hide him no longer, she got a wicker basket (Ark Teyvah)…she put the child into it and placed in among the reeds by the bank of the Nile”
