When the name of Sigmund Freud is uttered in the context of psychoanalysis, rarely does anyone think about how the character and fate of this brilliant thinker developed. However, as Freud himself admitted, his mother, Amalia Nathansohn-Freud, played a key role in the formation of his personality. Her life and character became not only decisive for the development of Freud, but also a symbol of the traditional image of the Jewish mother, full of love, selflessness and boundless devotion to children.
Amalia Nathansohn was born in 1835 in Brody, a city in modern Ukraine that was part of Austria-Hungary in the 19th century. This place was the center of Jewish culture and traditions, where religious and everyday canons were strictly observed. The Nathansohn family cultivated respect for knowledge, family values ​​and work - principles that Amalia took with her into her future family life.
Her marriage to Jacob Freud, Sigmund's father, in 1855 was an important event in her life. The age difference between the spouses was 20 years, but this did not stop them from creating a family based on mutual understanding. Soon after the wedding, in 1856, Amalia gave birth to her first child, a boy who was named Sigmund.
In traditional Jewish culture, the mother plays a unique role. She is not just the keeper of the hearth, but also the main educator, the first teacher who transmits cultural and moral norms to children. Amalia coped with this mission brilliantly.
It is noted that Freud's mother had a strong, independent character, which was combined with deep gentleness. She was confident in the exclusivity of her eldest son and encouraged his intellectual endeavors in every possible way. Freud recalled how his mother affectionately called him “mein goldener Sigi” - “my golden Sigi”, instilling confidence in his uniqueness.
This mother’s attitude became the foundation for the formation of a healthy ambitious beginning in Sigmund. However, as Freud's own writings show, a mother's boundless love can be both a source of strength and a burden. A Jewish mother traditionally surrounds her children with special care, and this became an integral part of the inner world of young Freud.
Amalia's life was not cloudless. The Freud family often faced financial difficulties. Her husband was a wool merchant. In the mid-19th century, the economic situation for Jews in Galicia was extremely difficult: most of them lived in poverty, and their opportunities for professional and social advancement were limited. Therefore, in the late 1850s, the Freud family moved to Freiberg, now Příbor, a small town in Moravia, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. And then in 1860 to Vienna. In a city filled with anti-Semitic sentiments, it was necessary to survive and create conditions for the development of children.
Amalia, despite all the difficulties, remained persistent and believed in the future of her children. Her commitment to Jewish traditions and love of education were reflected in the destinies of all eight children, who grew up in an atmosphere of culture, strict moral standards and respect for knowledge.
Sigmund especially appreciated in his mother her ability to remain calm and believe in herself even in the most difficult moments. In his letters, he emphasized that his mother was an example of inner strength for him, which probably helped him subsequently overcome his own crises.
Amalia lived a long life, dying in 1930 at the age of 95. Her son, already a recognized genius at that time, survived her by only nine years. However, her influence on him did not fade: Freud continued to reflect on the role of his mother until the end of his days, calling her “the core that supported his spirit.”
The story of Amalia Nathansohn-Freud is the story of a woman who embodies the immutable values ​​of the Jewish family. Her life serves as an example of how maternal love, based on wisdom and faith, can raise a genius and leave a mark on history. Through the image of Freud's mother, we see not only personal tragedy and greatness, but also eternal values ​​that remain relevant for every era.