But as she approached, a stranger (Jacob) rolled the stone away for her and watered the sheep. Rather, he told the latter(Gen. 49:3): Reuben, you are my first-born; notwithstanding this, Jacob also spoke disparagingly of him (v. 4): Unstable as water, you shall excel no longer. Many years later, Moses would bless Reuben and release him from this disgrace(Deut. Vilna] petihtah 24). The Rabbis differ as to the reason why Rachel stole her father's teraphim. He knew that he would marry her, just as Rebekah had been married to Isaac, and he also understood that he would bury her. But on the night of the marriage, Laban deceived Jacob. Jealous of her sister, Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife. 29a; R. H. 11a), and it was particularly her self-abnegation at the time of her sister's marriage which gained for her the divine clemency (Gen. R. lxxiii. The most extreme description of Rachels act of self-sacrifice appears inLam. Deut. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Joshua son of Nun was an Ephraimite, one of Rachels descendants. Another tradition has Leah herself being responsible for the change. Now the birthright has returned to its owner(Gen. Rabbah98:4, [ed. In another tradition, God remembered Rachels silence when Leah was given to Jacob instead of her. Rachel and her sister Leah are mentioned as the two women who founded the house of Israel, Rachel, though younger, being mentioned first (Ruth iv. 3 When all the flocks were gathered there, the . In Sivan of 2251 AM (MayJune 1754 BC, or literally, "in the days of the wheat harvest"), Reuben went into the field and gathered mandrakes (Mandragora officinarum) for his mother Leah. As related inGen. 32:7, before the meeting with Esau, Jacob was apprehensive that his brother was preparing to fight him, and he therefore divided his family into two camps. Rachel was one of Jacob's wives through . Updates? Laban immediately said that if Jacob would serve him for an additional seven years, he could marry Rachel as well. Besides, Rachel was afraid that her father, seeing that she had no children by Jacob, might marry her to Esau (Midr. Those were the last children she would have. Gen. 30:14relates that Reuben found mandrakes, which are prophylactic, in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Instead of showing understanding, he amplifies her pain by telling her that he already has four sons from Leah. Thus, we see that the rivalry between the two sisters did not come to an end but even pertains to the identity of the herald of the future Redemption. Then she waived this status when she consented to Leahs marriage to Jacob. In the morning, Jacob discovered he had been tricked. In return, Leah requested that Rachel forgo her right to be with Jacob that night. [2] Jacob had traveled a great distance to find Laban. it is known before You that Your servant Jacobs love for me knew no bounds, and he worked for my father for seven years for me. 2, 7). Rachel is mentioned twice in the Old Testament beyond her story in Genesis. In yet another exegetical understanding, Rachel said: May the Lord add another son for me for exile, because the ten tribes were exiled beyond the Sambatyon river, while the tribes of Judah and Benjamin were dispersed throughout all the lands. On this date Joseph left the Egyptian prison; and on this date, Israel went forth from their servitude in Egypt(BTRosh Hashanah10b11a). 13). Systems of Transliteration Citation of Proper Names. The midrash further states that, as reward for Rachels modesty, Saul was descended from her; and as reward for Sauls modesty, Esther was descended from him. Themidrashfurther relates that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah, and he even loved Bilhah, Rachels handmaiden, more than he loved Zilpah, the handmaiden of Leah (Gen. Rabbati,Vayeze, p. 120). 14; Tan., Wayee, 13). Genesis 29:18Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, "Ill work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel." Rijksmuseum The story of how Jacob ends up marrying his two cousins, Leah and Rachel, begins in Canaan, with the marriage of his older twin, Esau, to two Hittite women of whom Isaac and Rebekah do not approve. cit.). When, toward the end of his life, Jacob told Joseph about Rachels death, he said(Gen. 48:7): I [do this because], when I was returning from Paddan, Rachel died, to my sorrow. The wording died, to my sorrow teach the Rabbis that Rachels death was the harshest of all the troubles that befell Jacob(Gen. Rabbah97:7, [ed. The Hebrew name of Rachel means ewe or beautiful. From the Jewish Museum, New York, via Wikimedia Commons. Due to Rachels good deeds or to Reubens sin, the initial order was restored. According to another exegetical approach, it is Rachels son who wins the birthright. Jacobs response is described in v. 2: Jacob was incensed at Rachel, and said, Can I take the place of God, who has denied you fruit of the womb? The midrashic exegesis further intensifies Jacobs strong statement. According to a third tradition, Jacob wept for grief, for he realized that after he kissed Rachel people were whispering to one another: Why has this one come, to teach us this indecent behavior? The midrash comments that after the world had been struck by the Flood, the nations of the world hedged themselves against illicit sexual behavior [i.e., they accepted all manner of sexual prohibitions] (Gen. Rabbahloc. Jacob kissed Rachel and fell in love with her instantly. Agadat Bereshit li. Who is Rachel in The Bible? Jacob now explained his actions. Themidrashasserts that the salvation that occurred in his time in the war at Gilgal(Josh. Isaac married Rabecah and they had two sons - Esau and Jacob.. lxx. Laban substituted Leah, his older daughter, and in the darkness, Jacob thought Leah was Rachel. Well, according to the math in the Bible, Jacob was 8. So, Jacob married and started having children 7 years into his 20 years of service to Laban. 24), show that she was a prophetess. 16), are explained by the Rabbis as referring to the divine gifts bestowed upon their descendants; for while royalty and the priesthood remained permanently with Leah's descendants, they were held only temporarily by Rachel'sroyalty with Joseph and Saul, and the priesthood with the tabernacle of Shiloh (Gen. R. lxx. As compensation for this negative depiction, Scripture calls Israel after her, after her son, and after her sons son. [6] (Genesis 31:19-20 ) Jones[7] records that the phrase "born to him in Padan-aram" that appears after the listing of Jacob's sons (Genesis 35:26 ) can also mean "engendered by him in Padan-aram." According to another tradition, the word naftali is to be derived fromninfei(bride). "Jacob and Rachel at the Well, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot, c. 1896-1902. Buber],Vayeze6). 31:20Israel is called after her sons son: Truly, Ephraim is a dear son to Me(Ruth Rabbah7:11:13). Later, when Leah was given in marriage instead of Rachel, the latter revealed the signs to her sister in order to spare her from being disgraced by Jacob. All this means that Jacob was married to Rachel for some time between about 15 years and 22 years. Instead of giving Laban the traditional bride-price, Jacob agreed to work for Laban seven years to earn Rachel's hand in marriage. Joseph thereby is awarded a double portion, which is the right of the firstborn. Bilhah, Rachel's servant and Jacob's concubine, bears two more sons, Dan and Naphtali. A type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules). Themidrash, however, presents two principal approaches to this question. So did your mother shame our father when she stole the household idols from Laban! By merit of the blows that he received on his shoulders, theShekhinah(Divine Presence) would rest between Benjamins shoulders, as it is said in the blessing by Moses(Deut. Accordingly, after the birth of Joseph, Esaus foil, Jacob resolved that the time had come to return to his homeland(Gen. Rabbah73:7). When Leah was brought under the wedding canopy, Rachel thought: Now my sister will be shamed [when Jacob discovers the fraud and does not marry her]. She gave the signs to Leah. ; Gen. R. lxxiv. Various Jewish sources say Rachel died at age 36 and other sources say age 45. The marriage of Rachel in the Bible was one of the most captivating episodes recorded in the book of Genesis, a story of love triumphing over lies. Jealous of her sister, Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife. 40) are considered by the Rabbis to symbolize the four matriarchs, Rachel, who died the youngest, they consider symbolized by the willows of the brook, which fade sooner than any other plant (Lev. Rachelis depicted in theTorah she-bi-khetav: Lit. She raised Joseph and Benjamin as if she were their mother(Gen. Rabbah84:11). Before her death, Rachel names the newborn. Later, Rachel became the mother of Joseph (xxx. cit.). She was the second daughter of Laban, Rebekah's brother, making Jacob her first cousin. Leah gives birth to four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. (NIV), Genesis 30:22Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb. cit.). 31:15Israel is called after Rachel: Rachel weeping for her children; inAmos 5:15Israel is named after her son: Perhaps the Lord, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph; and inJer. His prophecy was fulfilled, asJer. [9][10][11], Last modified on August 11, 2016, at 17:07. The uncertainty arises from the unknown time between Jacob leaving Paddan-aram and arriving in Ephrath which was presumably at least 2 years (with Bethel in between) and when Joseph was 17 years old. 31:1416attests: A cry is heard in Ramahwailing, bitter weepingRachel weeping for her children, she refuses to be comforted for her children, who are gone. Overall, the midrash portrays Rachel as incredibly generous and compassionate, and her goodness is seen in her descendants. Rabbah[ed. He asked for Rachels hand because he thought that Leah was intended for Esau (Tanhuma[ed. 14-16, 19, 34-35). 33:12): Of Benjamin he said: Beloved of the Lord, he rests securely beside Him [] as he rests between His shoulders (Tanhuma[ed. Since she suffered many years of barrenness, she was rewarded by the Israelites being called by her name, or by the name of her descendants. Scripture says Rachel was beautiful. The Rabbis seek to discover the reason why Rachels womb was opened. Gen. 30:23records that when Rachel gave birth to Joseph she explained: God has taken away [asaf] my disgrace. The Rabbis observe that until a woman gives birth, whatever blame [there is, within the house] is placed upon her. Jacob loved Rachel but was indifferent toward Leah. However, the Rabbis debate the reason behind God granting her the ability to bear children. They answer that Jacob saw with the spirit of divine inspiration that when the Israelites would set out to exile, they would pass through Bethlehem on the road to Ephrath, and so he buried Rachel there, so that she would pray for them. The midrash includes Rachel among the seven barren women who were eventually blessed with offspring:Sarah, Rebekah,Rachel, Leah,Manoahs Wife,Hannah andZion [in a metaphorical sense], of whomPs. 21). Rachel Stevens has shut down ex-fianc Jeremy Edwards's claim that she cheated on him. Zavada, Jack. Her name means "ewe" in Hebrew. Some midrashim view the name given by Rachel to her son Joseph as a prophecy for what would befall his descendants. (NIV), Genesis 35:24The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. Jacob then married Rachel and worked for Laban another seven years for her. It was for my sake that he came here and served our father for so many years. Family relations of Rachel in the Bible. The stone over the mouth of the well was large. In theTorahReuben is deposed from his status as firstborn for having violated his fathers bed(Gen. 49:34) and this distinction is conferred on Joseph when Jacob declares that Ephraim and Manasseh are his sons(Gen. 48:56). The Rabbis did not view this exchange between the sisters favorably. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Gen 29:20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her. The Rabbis commented on the sale of the mandrakes: This one lost and the other one lost, this one was rewarded and the other one was rewarded. Leah lost the mandrakes and was rewarded with tribes; Rachel lost burial, and was rewarded with the birthright(Gen. Rabbah72:3). How old was Rachel when she died. Jacob said: If all my children will be killed, Rachels son will remain, for he will punish this wicked seed, as it is said(Jud. xxxi. cit.). And there is hope for your futuredeclares the Lord: Your children shall return to their country (Lam. Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. According to Gen. R. (lxxii. Why did Rachel die? 1777 BC-1759 BC-1738 BC) was the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin. When Jacob first met Laban (his mother's brother), he immediately fell in love with his younger daughter Rachel. The Rabbis learned from this that seven days of feasting are to be conducted for a bride and groom (Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer[ed. After working for Laban another seven years, Jacob marries Rachel Jacob did so and completed her week, and he gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife. Rachel lost being buried next to Jacob because of her dealing with Leah, but she thereby merited having her son Joseph receive the birthright. It seems to just throw out there that Rachel was 36 when she died; since Yaakov married her after 7 years working for Lavan, and he left Charan after another 7 years after they got married, plus 6 years after all but Binyamin were born, and Rachel died at the end of the two-year journey back to Yitzchak, they were married for 15 . Leah bore Jacob six sons and a daughter. In an additional commentary, another son referred to the apportioning ofThe Land of IsraelErez Israel, since Benjamin did not have a portion with Joseph, but with the tribe of Judah(Gen. Rabbah73:56). Jacob then married Rachel and worked for Laban another seven years for her. The Rabbis claim that Rachel did so for the sake of Heaven. (Viewed on May 1, 2023) . Before she died, she said that the child should be named Ben-oni, or "son of my pain." Rachel said: Were not the vicissitudes that Jacob underwent for me? His preference for her continued even after her death, and also influenced Jacobs attitude to her children. The Story of Jacob and his Wives Leah and Rachel The role of women in the Old Testament. Rachels merit continued to aid Israel even many years after her demise: when the exiles from Judah (after the destruction of the First Temple) passed by her tomb, she aroused Gods mercy to forgive them; He heeded her, and promised her that He would return them to their land. Jacob gave Reuben the birthright, but it was postponed because of the sin of the latter, who was vindicated and regained his birthright in the time of Moses. She bore him in 2259 AM. 9). Some argued that he was from the tribe of Gad, while others maintained that he was a Benjaminite. So we would only be guessing if we came up with an age for Leah and Rachel. 33:6): May Reuben live and not die. This blessing expresses Reubens standing as firstborn, who took a double portion [as is the law of the firstborn]: May Reuben live and not dieMay Reuben live, in this world; and not die, in the World to Come (Tanhuma[ed. 6), this prayer of Rachel caused Leah's seventh child, which at the time of conception was a son, to be transformed into a daughter; otherwise Rachel would have been the mother of only one son (comp., however, Ber. Buber],Vayeshev19). Some consider that she did so in order to conceal Jacob's flight; others, that her object was to turn her father from idolatry (Pire R. El. In the tableau inGen. 35:17, Rachel experiences difficulty in childbirth and the midwife tells her: Have no fear, for it is another boy for you. The Rabbis observe that this is how a womans spirit is restored during childbirth, by telling her not to fear, because she is giving birth to a son [which was regarded as an honor which would raise the womans spirits](Gen. Rabbah82:8). The "Sefer ha-Yashar" (section "Wayishla," p. 56b), however, gives her age at the time of her death as forty-five. Omissions? Jacob replied that he was her father's equal in trickery; and he agreed with Rachel upon certain signs which would enable him to recognize her. Buber],Vayeze13). Themidrashrelates that Rachel was twenty-two years old when she was married to Jacob (SederOlam Rabbah2), and her barrenness lasted for fourteen years (Seder Eliyahu Rabbah18, p. 99). xxxvi. In the narrative inGen. 31:19, when Jacob fled from Labans house, Rachel stole her fathers household idols. Executive Committee of the Editorial Board. One tradition maintains that she became pregnant by merit of abundant prayers: by merit of her own prayer, by merit of her sisters prayer, by merit of Jacobs prayer, and by merit of the prayer of the handmaidens [Zilpah and Bilhah](Gen. Rabbah73:3). https://www.learnreligions.com/rachel-favored-wife-of-jacob-701193 (accessed May 1, 2023). Leah's life as Jacob's wife was distressful. Those sons became the founders of the 12 tribes of Israel. Thus Rachel knew that Jacob loved her more than he did Leah.[1][2][3][4]. The restrictions on her date of birth are: She married Jacob (2245 AM) when she was old enough to carry an adult responsibility, because Jacob met her when she was leading a flock of sheep to water. At Naphtalis birth, Rachel said(Gen. 30:8): A contest of God, a fateful contest I waged [naftuleiniftalti] with my sister; yes, and I have prevailed. Themidrashgives four different interpretations of this name. cit.). Themidrashperceives Rachel as an educational figure who delineated the path that her offspring were to follow. Gen. 29:18attests: Jacob loved Rachel. The midrashic exegesis of this verse characterizes this love of Jacobs with a reference toCant. They assert that Jacobs kiss was not a wanton one, but one that expressed familial feeling, since Rachel was related to him (Gen. Rabbahloc.
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