Mother’s Day offering (What a bargain for Mama!)

By TED ROBERTS, the SCRIBBLER ON THE ROOF

Every culture treats its mothers differently.  If you had the time (about two years) a careful analysis of the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic holy books would reveal a significant difference in their treatment of women – especially “mother.”

Let me admit that I haven’t gotten around to the research yet, but I will soon and I’ll let you know if I’m wrong.  I promise.
My contention is that our Chumash takes a most enlightened view of the Jewish mother.  What pit would our history fall in without Sarah, Rachel, and Ruth?  Recall that Ruth the Moabite is in the lineage of the Mossiach – David’s grandmother – though she’s a Moabite. The tent of Israel is a large one.

But my point is that in a time when women were considered breeders and cookers, the G-d of Israel recognized them as equal to men – at least spiritually. They are movers and shakers in our history – witness the wives of our patriarchs, who with a little planning, shape dynasties for their sons.

What if Sarah had not handed Hagar her walking papers? What if Rachel the Reckless had favored Esau over her sweet Jacob? And of five-star importance, what if Zipporah had not saved Moses from a wrathful G-d (Exodus 4:25)?

Or what if Ruth had told Boaz he was much too overweight? No marriage, no Jesse, no David. Maybe no hope for the Mossiach, who will raise the dead and bless the world with universal peace.

What if my mother had not inspired me with weekly trips to the library? I’d be laying brick in the cold outdoors instead of sprawled comfortably in my den writing Jewish stories. But all kidding aside. It’s amazing how in a primitive age where women were demeaned the Chumash recognizes the power of mother.

Consider, it’s the most lopsided balance in human relationships. Mama gives all, including the nutrients of her own body. Baby gives nothing except a few gurgly, uninterpretable noises. And even as the infant turns into a child, mama is still the provider and gets nothing in return. You say “love.” That’s her payment? Not always.

As the world turns, it’s remarkable that more women don’t regret this egregious bargain. We see it in a worldwide phenomenon.  You owe her; she gave you life.

Another thing:  Nobody loves you like your mama. Mine, who’s now in Heaven, frequently boasted about her son – me.  “He performed so spectacularly at his Bar Mitzvah that the crowd loudly clapped, then hoisted him on their shoulders and paraded him around the synagogue like a Torah. . .”  Her favorite story. I don’t remember the details, but I suspect exaggeration.

Science has yet to – and may never – discover the magic elixir that the Creator has injected into the female body resulting in the Yiddishe mama. Mysteriously, in most cases she craves motherhood. There are exceptions, of course.  It’s amazing to me that more potential mamas don’t turn their back on the only relationship where one takes and the other gives. She’s the giver, of course.

But don’t despair; Mother’s Day is coming. Hurray for Mom. I’ve already reminded the three to whom my wife gave life, that they better come up with some appropriate rewards and I mean more than lunch or a rose. After all, childbearing is the immortality of the soul.