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Why does Moshe compare leading the Jewish people to motherhood, implying that mothers naturally endure abuse from their children? The shiur develops the insight that being born creates inevitable trauma and anger in children toward their mothers. When parents define themselves as "I am a mother/father" rather than viewing parenting as something they do, the children's growth becomes their growth, making the abuse bearable through compensating joy.
Rabbi Zweig begins with a striking verse from Parshas Beha'aloscha where Moshe complains to Hashem (ה׳) about leading the Jewish people, asking why he must bear their burden when he didn't conceive or give birth to them. Moshe implies that if he were their mother, the abuse and stoning would be understandable, revealing a fundamental Torah (תורה) truth about motherhood. The rabbi explains why every child is inherently angry at their mother: being born is the most traumatic experience in life. A child begins in the womb's safe, nurturing environment and is suddenly cast into a cold, harsh world. This creates inevitable fury and resentment. Children continue to feel abandoned through weaning and other separations, leading to natural anger that manifests in cursing, rebellion, and emotional abuse toward parents.
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Parshas Beha'aloscha (Bamidbar 11:12)
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