Rachel
Rachel Imenu
Biblical EraRachel is a central biblical figure appearing in the Book of Genesis, the most beloved wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. In Jewish tradition she is one of the four matriarchs of the people of Israel and is called Rachel Imenu, Rachel our mother. She was born to…
Biography
Rachel is a central biblical figure appearing in the Book of Genesis, the most beloved wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. In Jewish tradition she is one of the four matriarchs of the people of Israel and is called Rachel Imenu, Rachel our mother. She was born to Laban the Aramean in Haran and was the sister of Leah; according to some midrashim the two were twins. Scripture describes her as beautiful in form and appearance, and as a shepherdess in her father's house. She met Jacob at the well, where he rolled the heavy stone from its mouth and watered her flock; he then contracted to work seven years in order to marry her. On the wedding night Laban substituted her sister Leah, and Rachel surrendered the signs she had arranged with Jacob so that Leah would not be shamed. This act of kindness and modesty is praised in rabbinic literature, and by its merit, according to the midrash, Rachel was remembered with children. She passed away giving birth to Benjamin on the road to Bethlehem and was buried there; her grave became a site of prayer and pilgrimage for generations.
Life Story
Childhood
She was born to Laban the Aramean in Haran in Aram Naharaim. She was the sister of Leah, and according to some midrashim the two were twins. In her youth she would shepherd her father's flock, work characterized by modesty and devotion.
Family
Her father was Laban the Aramean. Her sister was Leah, who also married Jacob. Her husband Jacob loved her more than all his wives. Her sons were Joseph and Benjamin, two of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Key Events
She met Jacob at the well in Haran, where he rolled the heavy stone from the mouth of the well and watered her flock. Jacob loved Rachel and agreed to work seven years in Laban's flock in order to marry her. On the wedding night Laban substituted Leah for Rachel, and Rachel surrendered to her sister the signs she had arranged with Jacob so that Leah would not be shamed. Afterward she too married Jacob, and he worked an additional seven years. Rachel was barren for many years, and by the merit of surrendering the signs, according to the midrash, she was remembered and gave birth to Joseph. She then passed away giving birth to Benjamin.
Miracles
By the merit of surrendering the signs to her sister, according to the midrash, Rachel was remembered with children after long years of barrenness. In Eichah Rabbah it is told that by the merit of that act Rachel's prayer was accepted before the Holy One, blessed be He, to return her children from exile, and she weeps for them in a voice heard in Ramah.
Influence
Rachel Imenu is a symbol of the mother who gives of herself for her sister, of prayer that is heard, and of weeping for her children's fate. In Jewish tradition she is identified with redemption and with mercy, and her grave at the entrance of Bethlehem is a site of prayer and pilgrimage. Her figure became one of the central symbols of the Land of Israel and of the matriarchs in Jewish culture.
Death
She passed away giving birth to Benjamin, her second son, while on the road to Bethlehem (Ephrath). Jacob buried her there on the road and set a pillar over her grave. According to tradition she was buried specifically on the road so that she could weep and plead for mercy on her children as they pass into exile. The day of her passing is set by tradition as the 11th of Cheshvan (some observe the 11th of Iyar).
Her Way and Views
Faith
Rachel prayed and cried out to be remembered with children, and her faith in providence and divine mercy was whole. According to tradition her prayer is heard even after her passing, and she pleads for mercy on her children in every generation.
Ethics
Rachel's way teaches the preference of peace and the dignity of another over self-interest. She kept her love for Jacob and her sensitivity to her sister in her heart, yet did not protest or voice her feelings publicly.
Character
Rachel is described in Scripture and in rabbinic literature as possessing both inner and outer beauty. Her defining virtue, raised for praise, is kindness and modesty: surrendering the signs to her sister Leah, so that she would not be shamed, is an act of self-denial for the sake of another's dignity.
Famous Quotes
"Give me children, or else I die (Genesis 30:1)"
"A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are not (Jeremiah 31:15)"
Famous Stories
Surrendering the signs: Jacob feared that Laban would substitute Rachel with her sister Leah, and gave her signs that would identify her on the wedding night. When Rachel saw her father bringing Leah in her place, she surrendered the signs to her sister so that she would not be shamed. By the merit of this act, according to the midrash, she was remembered with children.
Rachel weeps for her children: In the Book of Jeremiah it is said, A voice is heard in Ramah, Rachel weeping for her children. The midrash describes that Jacob buried Rachel on the road to Bethlehem intentionally, so that she might plead for mercy on her children as they pass there into exile. Her prayer, according to tradition, is one of the spiritual forces standing for Israel in every generation.
Grave Site
Timeline
Birth in Haran to Laban the Aramean
Meeting Jacob at the well and the labor agreement
Marriage to Jacob after seven additional years
Birth of Joseph
Passing giving birth to Benjamin and burial on the road to Bethlehem