By Ilana Schreiber

Though many Jews celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May, the importance, meaning, and commemoration of mothers in Judaism extends far beyond this secular holiday. To begin exploring the mother as a central figure in Judaism, it is significant to begin with examining the mother within the context of how she is defined through the meanings and construct of the Hebrew language, and how she then becomes a defining factor herself.

The Hebrew word for mother is m), Eim (pronounced eem, and read from right to left). This Hebrew lettering is also the same for the word “im”, which means “if,”  which, when defined in English, describes a condition allowing something else to exist. In Judaism, the family is dictated by the mother, as a child is Jewish only if her or his mother is Jewish. With one’s ethnicity as a Jew passing directly from the mother, mothers are the “condition” allowing others to exist. In forming a vital physical and spiritual link to the next generation, a Jewish mother is essentially the very fabric which holds the Jewish people together.

m) , Eim, is also significant based on its numerical value. Every letter in the Hebrew alphabet (Alefbet), has a corresponding number, much like the Roman Numerals are written in letter characters. Based on the system of numerical values linked with the Alefbet, every word also then has a numerical value. Biblical and mystical theologies, such as Kabbalah, exist associated with the meanings behind these numbers within the words. For example, the number 18 is very significant, because it is the numerical value of the word yx, Chai, meaning “life.” Donations to Jewish charities are routinely made in denominations of 18 for that reason. The numerical value of Eim is 41.

The numerical value of 41, “mother,” is of significance in relation to Rachel, the Jewish Matriarch, and wife of Jacob, the third Jewish patriarch. The 41^st day of the Jewish calendar year, the 11th of Cheshvan, recalls the yahrzeit (day commemorating the death) of Rachel. Rachel is known for her complete and indiscriminate compassion. In the Torah, Rachel’s compassion is seen through her care for animals and through her relationships with the people around her. There are numerous examples and stories demonstrating her in situations where she exhibits true mercy and selflessness. In the Jewish faith, most regard Rachel as the “mother of our Jewish nature” and the spiritual matriarch of the Jewish people who are scattered throughout the world. To many, she reflects the cry for their physical and spiritual return. In the Torah, Rachel is “she who refuses to be comforted until the ingathering of her children is realized.”     

In March of 2000 (11 Cheshvan, 5760), Rachel’s Children Reclamation Foundation founded the official “Jewish Mother’s Day.” With proclamations from New York City officials at the request of the Foundation President, Evelyn Solomon Haeis, this day was officially inaugurated in commemoration of Rachel Imeinu (Rachel Our Mother). Rachel was presented as the “Jewish mother par excellence,” portraying standards of empathy, sympathy, love, family, strength, activism, and a mother fighting for her children, in addition to  being an example of “good ideology.” On the 11 of Cheshvan, and year round, people of the Jewish faith celebrate Rachel and the spirit of compassion and Jewish motherhood.

Yom ha’em sameah!