The first time arvut comes into play is in the first perek, when the midwives are commanded by Pharoah to kill the baby boys. Not only did they did not listen to Pharoah, but they even helped keep the babies alive. The pasuk explains that the reason they had a sense of responsibility to save the boys and put their own lives on the line was because they feared G-d. This awe of Hashem was something that connected them to all the Jewish people (all Jewish people have this awe of Hashem) and instilled in them the desire to be responsible for the lives of others, even at the risk of their own lives.

 

Later in the parasha, Moshe asks Pharoah to allow the Jewish people to leave Egypt. Pharoah demurs, refuses to provide straw, and upholds the brick quota. The Egyptian taskmasters are relentless in pursuit of fulfilling the number of bricks to be produced, and pressure the Jewish officers to beat the Jewish slaves so they will work harder. Rashi explains that the Jewish officers, in a complete act of arvut, refused to beat the Jewish slaves and instead were flogged by the Egyptian officers for not meeting the required amount of bricks.

 

The midwives, Moshe, and the Jewish officers all demonstrated arvut - responsibility - and in each case risked their safety, security, and lives for the sake of another member of the Jewish people.

 

It is interesting to note that because of their selfless acts of arvut, all three were rewarded with leadership. According to Rashi, the midwives were rewarded with being the matriarchs of future Jewish kings and the Kohanim. The officers merited to become the Sanhedren and have the spirit of G-d rest upon them. And finally, Moshe became... Moshe Rabanu, the greatest leader of the Jewish people.