Living Torah Archives

Song lyrics: “Behold how good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together.” (Psalm 133:1)

During World War I, Jews in Russia were forced to relocate, and our city was flooded with refugees. My mother headed the committees to organize aid and shelter. Her incredible devotion day-in and day-out has been etched in my memory for all my life.

Torah establishes that a child’s People is traced through the mother – who carries and nourishes the growing baby, and who devotedly struggles through the pains of pregnancy, labor and childbirth. There are those who wish to steal the child from its mother, by “voting” that a child can belong to the father’s People instead. All women should object to such a possibility.

Jewish women are entrusted by G-d to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people. Despite the pains and hardships involved in pregnancy, labor, birth and child rearing, they have always fulfilled this essential role with joy and a deep sense of mission.

Torah and Mitzvos are the foundations of every Jewish household. The three most fundamental Mitzvos of Jewish family life – Family Purity, Kosher food preparation, and Shabbos and Festival candles, were given especially to the Jewish woman, as it is she who is the solid pillar of the home.