Abraham’s Mother
"When Terah had lived seventy years, he begot Abram..."  (Genesis 11:26)

Abraham’s mother (let’s call her Binah) —
Was it she who taught Abraham
To ask why and why not?
In her lullabies,
Rocking him in a simple cradle,
Singing to him of little goats eating raisins and almonds,
Did she also mock the idols,
Whisper questions with no answers?

Abraham’s mother (let’s call her Emunah) —
Was it she who first perceived
Beyond the façade of wind and storm
A greater power blows?
Was it her insight that showed a little boy
Not to bow to stars,
But let his own soul
Shine?

Abraham’s mother (let’s call her Tikvah) —
Did she smile behind her veil
When the youth smashed his father’s icons?
Was it she who supplied the hammer and the ax?

Abraham’s mother (let’s call her Eema) —
Did she feel pride, or sadness, or triumph
When her son, hearing God’s voice and choosing the route to Jerusalem,
Packed his belongings and left home?
Did she whisper, ‘God be with you?’
Was this her vindication?

Abraham’s mother —
Is all we have
Hers?


Glossary of Hebrew words
Binah = understanding, intuition
Eema = Mother
Emunah = faith
Tikvah = hope