JOFA Journal

The theme of this book is the spiritual meaning that Judaism brings to pregnancy and birth. Written by a ba'alat teshuva from Baltimore who lives in Jerusalem, this intensely moving book contains the author's interviews with 24 Orthodox mothers in Jerusalem about their pregnancies. Most of them are "Anglo Saxon" immigrants; many only became observant as adults; many live in the haredi community. All of them see pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood as opportunities for increased closeness to God. The women speak very frankly about difficulties and obstacles such as infertility, miscarriages, and high-risk pregnancies and births.

Through their descriptions of their pregnancies as spiritual journeys, we get an intimate look at the inner lives of these women, and how they are empowered by seeing themselves as God's partners in the creation and care of their children. One mother says that she does not believe it possible for a woman to give birth without believing in God. A Hasidic rebbetzin told Weisberg that during her pregnancies she always thinks of the fetus she is carrying as a sefer Torah, as every child is a living Torah. Another woman focuses on prayer and performing more mitzvot during her pregnancies so as to have God-fearing children.

Each of the nine chapters of the book is aimed at helping readers grow spiritually along with their babies during their pregnancies. Weisberg includes interviews with two midwives and also with Rabbanit Chana Henkin of Nishmat and other female educators, a kabbalistic birth meditation and teachings on birth based on the teachings of Nachman of Bratzlav. -JOFA Journal