The mother of all life

According to the Jewish mystical tradition, there are three main concepts connected to the Hebrew name Chavah. The first comes from the explanation given in the Torah itself: because she is em kol chai - the mother of all life (Genesis 3:20).
The medieval commentator Rashi explains this phrase. The name Chavah is a derivative of the Hebrew word chayah, meaning “living one.” Chavah embodies both the essence of life itself and the creative ability to grant that life to others. The idea of “mother of all life” expresses not only the ability to physically give birth, but also to create, nourish, and enhance all facets of life. This is the ability of a mother - to take something from the state of potential, develop it, and bring it to actualization through her creative abilities.
Read more: http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/335943/jewish/Chavah-Mother-of-All-Life.htm

While on the subject of mothers, here is an email that I received this morning.

Word to the Wise on Mothers

If we are available, we encourage dependency.
If we busy ourselves, we are detached.
If we offer advice, we are controlling.
If we refrain, we are disinterested.
If we visit often, we are pests.
If we don't, we are thought uncaring.
If we hide our needs, we are martyrs.
If we reveal our needs, we are demanding.
If we provide for our old age, we are selfish.
If we don't provide, we are burdens.
If we don't pitch in, they question our competency.
If we do pitch in, we question their competency.
If all this is true, we might as well do as we wish, and do it outrageously.

by Ruth Harriet Jacobs
Wellesley College Center for Research on Women