Our hearts and minds are consumed with the welfare of the three teenage students who have been kidnapped in Israel. We witness, yet again, the self-sacrifice of the Israeli soldiers, the determination of the Israeli government and the unity of our people in face of crisis. But above all, what touches me the most, and what has taken Israel by storm, is the sheer faith and strength of the mothers. The mothers of the kidnapped boys.
Confronted as they are with a parent's worst nightmare, they could easily be forgiven if they lash out with anger and despair. Rage and grief is expected under these horrific circumstances. Yet, through their pain and sorrow, these incredible women have come forward with grace, dignity and supreme strength. Their message is one of gratitude (gratitude!) faith and prayer. (see here)
Indeed, they have set the tone for Israel entire and the Jewish people world wide.
The crowning strength of the Jewish people has always been its women: the Aishet Chayil - the Yiddishe Mamma. Our sages' axiomatic statement, that in the merit of the righteous women we were redeemed from Egypt, and that in their merit we will be redeemed again, is true today as ever. From time immemorial, it was she, the Jewish woman who has ensured Jewish continuity and faith. Not with fanfare, but with quiet yet determined strength. Prime Ministers, rabbis and leaders of all stripes have sought to comfort and give guidance in this crisis, but none of the above come even close to the influence and impact of the mothers of Naftali, Gilad and Eyal.
The strength of the Yiddishe Mamma.