The author begins by arguing that the women of this portion are the heroes – the midwives Shifra and Puah as well as Pharaoh's daughters Yocheved and Miriam. He discusses what it means for Harvey Fierstein, an out gay man, to play Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, and compares Moses' conversations with God to those of Tevye. He concludes with a discussion of Moses' struggle as the leader of the Israelites, and the various stories of “coming out” in this portion.