Climbing Past the Pain

Mamma Rochel’s cry “Yosef” is a call for us to keep going, keep climbing

Mamma Rochel, we are your children. You are the biological mother of only one-sixth of the 12 tribes, but you’re designated as “Mamma” to us all.

Your ancient message blows over the Harei Yehudah, and it’s your legacy that we live. “V’shavu vanim ligvulam, and your children will return to their borders.” We cling to that promise.

You said, “V’im ayin, meisah anochi, without any, I am dead.” In the sefer Neos Hadesheh, Rav Avraham Bornstein, the first Sochatchover Rebbe, explains that with “ayin,” you meant emptiness and nothingness. For you, having progeny who live empty lives is indistinguishable from death.

What She Wants

Let’s try to understand what children of “nothingness” must mean to Rochel Imeinu.