Long before the term “helicopter mom” came into play, there existed the quintessential Jewish Mother—an all-knowing, all-powerful figure ready with a comforting embrace and a steaming bowl of chicken soup, guaranteed to cure any ailment or lift your spirits. Forget about your aspirations for a moment; let me just whip up a plate of food for you. You’re so thin! You haven’t eaten enough, have you?
The expert practice of food-pushing is just one of the many invaluable lessons imparted by every Jewish mother. Whether you’re in your skinny jeans or your more forgiving fat pants, the principle remains: when it comes to meal planning or holiday feasts, more is always merrier. A Jewish mother will never let you leave her home empty-handed, always insisting you take a Bloomingdale’s bag filled with leftovers—beet salad, half a brisket, kasha varnishkes, and matzo balls to tide you over for weeks. “Take this, just in case,” she’ll say, and who are we to argue?
From an early age, we receive the gentle nudge to seek out a “nice Jewish boy” for a partner, but if we wander off the beaten path, it’s all good. “As long as you raise the grandkids Jewish,” she’ll remind us. And yes, there should be plenty of Jewish grandchildren on the way.
The daughters of Jewish mothers come equipped with a unique set of lessons—some overt, others more nuanced. One of the more profound lessons is that mandatory Shabbat dinners aren’t just about religious observance; they are about gathering the family for a weekly meal, a time to reconnect.
In our quest to find a worthy boyfriend, we often use Shabbat dinner as a test. If we can imagine bringing him home to our mother’s table without a twinge of embarrassment, he’s a keeper. If we’re cringing at the thought, well, it might be time to rethink that relationship.
When it comes to choosing a life partner, we learn that intelligence and quirkiness outweigh wealth and looks. After all, a brainiac can learn to make money, and a dork will treat us like royalty. Of course, money is always a nice bonus.
Some of the lessons might seem universal, yet they carry that special Jewish twist. Imagine if Emily Post had converted and changed her name to Emily “Shayna Punim” Postensteinowitzky-berger. She would have a rule for everything, like never showing up at a friend’s home without a gift.
When in doubt about how to act in any situation, we learned from our mothers that food is the answer. If someone is going through a tough time, forget flowers; send a platter of bagels. And let’s not forget that chicken soup is its own food group—a crucial lesson when introducing solids to our little ones.
Guilt and superstition? Oh, they’re very real in the world of Jewish mothers. Any misfortune is just waiting to happen, and guilt can be summoned for just about anything—eating too much, not eating enough, visiting too often, or not enough. Yet, we know our mothers are generally okay with our choices—so long as they align with what they would have chosen. “I’m fine, really, don’t change your plans for me,” is code for “I’m uncomfortable. Please change everything for me.” And when we’re cold, we pass on the wisdom: tell the kids to grab a sweater!
We also learn that nothing is ever quite good enough. When dining out, we never take the first table offered or the first loaf of bread in front of us; we always reach for the one behind—less wear and tear, after all. Even if we see the bakery clerk slice a fresh loaf for the person ahead, we must request our own “fresh one” just to be sure.
Every Jewish girl grows into a nurturer, overflowing with love and compassion—often intertwined with a sprinkle of worry and anxiety. Every nugget of wisdom passed down from our mothers proves useful, even those we swore we wouldn’t follow. So, thanks to our Jewish mothers, and much to our husbands’ chagrin, we become just like them.
For more insights on parenthood and the journey of insemination, check out this home insemination kit. And if you’re looking to boost fertility, Make A Mom offers some great resources! You can also find valuable support for pregnancy and home insemination at Drugs.com.
Summary
Every Jewish girl learns invaluable lessons from her mother, from the art of food-pushing to the importance of family gatherings and choosing the right partner. We inherit a blend of love, guilt, and nurturing instincts, shaping us into compassionate caregivers while navigating the complexities of life and relationships—often with a side of chicken soup.