Four Mothers Who Entered Pardes

Rachel dies:

Rachel weeps for her children and refuses to be comforted (Jeramiah 31 verse 15). She

weeps for her banished children who are going into exile. Just before she dies she

foresees the future of the Jewish people, the bondage in Egypt, the Holocaust. She

sees into the future very clearly.

Sara goes mad:

Sara goes mad as any mother would when her only child, her only son, is taken by his

father Abraham to be killed. They never see her again and then she dies. Because of

the love for her son, and of the futility of the soldiers dying and because of the growing

greed in this world today.

Leah cuts the sprouts:

Leah is weak of sight. For Leah having so many children was not enough for her. She

looses her faith at first but then she finds strength within herself. She becomes complete

for the sake of her children. She sees with her heart now and not just with her eyes. In

spite of being the “Acheret” the other, she finds the strengh to find her place.

Rebecca come out whole:

When Rebecca was pregnant with her twins she asked God, “If thus why am I?” This

meant she asked, If this is the nature of reality which includes sufferring then what is the

point? Her answer from God was, Nothing is ever perfect. Therefore Rebecca accepts

the imperfection of life and paradise. She is the only one who can ascent and decent in

peace.