Last week, I shared a very personal blog I had written for the weekly bulletin at the synagogue where I work in honour of Mental Health Awareness Month.
This week, I wrote another piece that also felt deeply personal and wanted to share with you as well. It’s titled “Honouring Mothers: A Jewish Reflection on Mother’s Day.”
This Mother’s Day will feel very different for me. My mom has been gone for four months now, and there are still days when it simply doesn’t feel real.
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With Mother’s Day this Sunday, we take time this weekend to honour the women who have shaped our lives in ways both visible and unseen. In Judaism, the role of a mother is deeply woven into our identity, our values, and the continuity of our people.
This year, the day feels different for me. Four months ago, I lost my mom. There is a quiet space where her presence used to be, one that is especially felt on days like this. And yet, in that space, I find myself reflecting even more deeply on what she gave me, and the values that continue to guide me.
In the Torah, we are commanded to “Honour your father and your mother”. This mitzvah is not limited to words or a single day. It is something we carry throughout our lives. Even after loss, we continue to honour our parents through the way we live, the choices we make, and the values we pass on.
Our tradition also teaches us that Jewish identity is passed on through the mother, a reminder of the profound and lasting impact mothers have, not only in raising children, but in shaping generations.
At the same time, Mother’s Day can be complex. For some, it is filled with joy and gratitude. For others, it carries grief, longing, or complicated emotions. Judaism makes space for all of it, reminding us to approach one another with compassion and understanding.
This Mother’s Day, may we honour the mothers and mother-figures in our lives, those who are with us, and those we carry in our hearts. May their love continue to guide us, and may their memory be a blessing.
Shabbat Shalom
#mothersday #blessings #shabbatshalom #loss #understanding #mentalhealth #family
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