Sunday, May 13th, isn’t just the last day of religious school. It’s also Mother’s Day, but I don’t have to tell you that. TV, radio, and the internet are full of reminders. Apparently, it’s also a good time to buy a mattress. As we prepare in our own ways for Mother’s Day, let’s remember the first mothers whose names still grace our Sabbath prayers, and inspire us to honor all our mothers who have been everything from natural nurturers to able leaders among us.
In the prayer we call “Avot v’imahot,” we honor Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel. Their recognition in the prayer highlights the role they played in our people’s history and development.
Sarah was the wife of Abraham, and the first matriarch. Her name was originally Sarai, but it was changed to Sarah. Sarah accompanied Abraham on his journeys and helped him teach about God. The first Jewish woman, she is also known as “our mother,” just as Abraham is our father. Sarah was adored by her husband. Abraham paid a full price for a burial place for Sarah, which still exists in the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron.
Rebecca was the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau. She was chosen by Abrahm’s servant, Eliezer, to become Isaac’s wife. From Genesis 24, we learn that she was generous and gracious. She also demonstrated strength of character when she chose to leave her home and become Isaac's wife. Later, she sought her husband’s blessing for Jacob over Esau. Her insight into each boy’s strength led her to make a daring but profound decision for the future of our people.
Leah was the daughter of Laban, and the older sister of Rachel. You remember that Leah's father, Laban, tricked Jacob into marrying Leah. Despite the deception, Jewish tradition remembers Leah for her qualities of honor and piety.
Rachel was also the daughter of Laban, and the younger sister of Leah. Torah describes how Rachel and Jacob first met at the well in Haran. Jacob fell in love with her and served Laban for seven years in order to marry her. Laban tricked Jacob into marrying his older daughter, Leah, instead. Jacob agreed to serve Laban for seven more years in order to marry Rachel.
Elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, we learn that mothers have been honored for special qualities. Consider Proverbs 31:10ff, also known as a “Woman of Valor,” which highlights a mother’s devotion to family and charitable causes, and which ends with a special focus on one’s own wife and mother, “Many daughters have done valiantly, but you excel them all.”
The Bible tells part of the story. It doesn’t record what we’ve also come to know about Jewish mothers. With all due respect, we might also relate to the following story of a Jewish mother who is having a very tense relationship with her teenage son. Finally she takes him to see a psychoanalyst. After a lengthy session, the doctor reports to the mother, “You son,” he says, “has an Oedipus complex.” The woman answers, “Oedipus shemdipus, as long as he loves his mother.”
Mothers are dear to all of us. As we come to celebrate Mother’s Day on May 13th, remember to honor your mother. It’s not a suggestion; it’s a commandment.
From my desk to yours, Shabbat Shalom.
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