Themidrashrecords a disagreement among the Rabbis concerning the origins of Elijah. He suggests that the Apostles were also numbered twelve, though Judas Iscariot was dead by that time, (John 20:24 ) and cites Saint Augustine to support him. We don't need to perform good works to earn it. Jacob allowed Laban to search for the idols. This filled Rachel with envy, and, having expressed her feelings to Jacob, she bade him take her handmaid Bilhah to wife in order that she might obtain a family through her (xxix. 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. Zavada, Jack. His prophecy was fulfilled, asJer. So after the ceremonial week of the wedding to Leah was over, Rachel married Jacob, becoming his second but most-loved wife. 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. Some criticized Leah, for by her actions she exhibited ingratitude to Rachel. The Rabbis understand the wording (Gen. Did Isaac and Rebekah have a wedding? In other respects the two sisters were alike, both being ancestresses of kings, heroes, prophets, judges, and conquerors (ib. Rachel lost being buried next to Jacob because of her dealing with Leah, but she thereby merited having her son Joseph receive the birthright. 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. Another tradition suggests that when Rachel saw that she did not bear children, she feared lest Esau take her from Jacob and marry her [because of the prior agreement between the parents of Jacob and Esau that each would marry one of the sisters, while Jacob had married both]. The restrictions on her date of birth are: The maximum likely age for Rachel at the time of the birth of Benjamin is thirty-nine years. She said: We are leavingshall we leave this old man in his corruption [i.e., idolatry]? Consequently, Scripture proclaims her praise and tells of the act of theft(Gen. Rabbah74:5). Through the fraud of Laban, Jacob's marriage with Rachel took place after he had married her elder sister, Leah, who, though less loved than Rachel, became the mother of four sons, while the latter was childless. Buber],Vayeze13). Jacob was quite old compared to other generat. By your life, your sons will stand before her son, and he will tell them(Gen. 50:19) Am I a substitute for God?(Gen. Rabbah71:7). She was the younger daughter of Laban and the younger sister of Leah. DAY 34: Jacob Was 84 Years Old When He Married Rachel And Leah By richoka Leave a Comment We've now arrived at the third Biblical patriarch: Jacob. [1] Jacob decided to leave quietly at night. Rachel and Leah persuaded their husband to flee from Laban's house, and at the moment of Jacob's flight Rachel stole her father's teraphim. 11). Gen. 35:18attests: But as she breathed her lastfor she was dyingshe named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. The Rabbis explain that Rachel called the child the son of my suffering [in Aramaic], while his father gave him the Hebrew name Benjamin. The midrashic sources specify that Rachel died at the age of thirty-six (SederOlam Rabbah2) and list three women who had difficult childbirths and died: Rachel, the wife of Phinehas(I Sam. Laban immediately said that if Jacob would serve him for an additional seven years, he could marry Rachel as well. "Rachel: Midrash and Aggadah." Benjamin was born on the road to Bethlehem, and therefore Rachel must have conceived him in Padan-aram, though she bore him in Canaan. Unbeknownst to Jacob, Rachel stole her father's household gods or teraphim. The Rabbis differ as to the reason why Rachel stole her father's teraphim. Rachel - Wikipedia In the four years following their marriage, Leah had four sons; Rachel had none. The competition between Rachel and Leah did not cease upon Rachels death, and is reflected in the question of the birthright: which of the firstborn of Jacobs wives would receive the birthright, Reuben or Joseph? Themidrash, however, presents two principal approaches to this question. These two reasons reveal the fact that, already at the instant of his first meeting with Rachel, Jacob realized that she was the woman meant for him. Her first son was Joseph, the future viceroy of Egypt. Other Rabbis found fault with Rachel and maintained that because Rachel made light of her right to lie with the righteous Jacob, which she sold for the mandrakes, she was punished by not being buried together with him. As the four different plants with which the Jews were commanded to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. Gen. 29:17attests: Leah had weak eyes; Rachel was shapely and beautiful. Themidrashadds that there was no maiden fairer than Rachel (Tanhuma,Vayeze6). Rachel - Conservapedia (NIV), Genesis 35:24The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. 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. When Jacob wanted to leave Haran, he summoned his wives to the field and told them of his plans. Rabbah37:1). I acted kindly with her, I was not jealous of her, and I did not cause her to be shamed and disgraced. Laban agreed to the arrangement. Leah gives birth to four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. According to one opinion, her death was a punishment for Jacob, for having made a vow and then not honoring it. Rachel had taken the idols and placed them in the cushion on her camels back. 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. This exposition emphasizes that Jacob acted in accordance with the commandment of the Torah and did not prefer the son of the loved wife to the son of the unloved one. 11). God remembered Rachel on Rosh ha-Shanah (Ber. How old was Rachel when Jacob married her? - KnowledgeBurrow xxxi. Continuing this exegetical orientation, in another midrashic depiction Jacob tells Reuben, while blessing his sons before his death: The birthright was not yours. xxxv. He said to them: My masters, why do you disagree about me? Leah agreed, and when Jacob returned from the field, Leah told him directly that she had "hired" him for the evening, at the price of a few mandrakes. midrash relates that Rachel was twenty-two years old when she was married to Jacob ( "order.". Rachel: Midrash and Aggadah | Jewish Women's Archive This was exceedingly difficult for me, when I learned of this counsel. We only know the age of Jacob during this period of time. 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. (NLT) Jeremiah 31:15 speaks of Rachel "weeping for her children" who have been taken into exile. "Meet Rachel - Favored Wife of Jacob." Gen. ; comp. Bilhah, Rachel's servant and Jacob's concubine, bears two more sons, Dan and Naphtali. Lit. The 63-year-old Dirty Dancing icon appeared in the very first season of the show, playing Mindy. Laban would take these gifts and give them to Leah, and Rachel would remain silent (Tanhuma[ed. [9][10][11], Last modified on August 11, 2016, at 17:07. The regimen of rituals, songs and textual readings performed in a specific order on the first two nights (in Israel, on the first night) of Passover. cit.). So you wouldn't expect two old people, would you? "teaching," "study," or "learning." In another midrashic tradition, however, Jacob did not initially favor Rachel over Leah. Leah's life as Jacob's wife was distressful. 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. xxiii. 31 December 1999. Another tradition explains the Torahs statement(Gen. 29:16): Now Laban had two daughters as meaning that both were equal in beauty and in their erect stature (Tanhuma[ed. Gen. 30:14relates that Reuben found mandrakes, which are prophylactic, in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. The reason for this was Josephs fear that Esau would see Rachel and desire her. The custom in those days was for a man to wait at least a week after arranging to marry a woman. l.c. 28:20) his tribe received the jasper [yashfe, with the meaning ofyesh pehthere is a mouth] stone in the High Priests breastpiece. Had I not revealed to thee our signs, he would never have become thy husband" (Midr. Friedmann (Ish-Shalom)], chap. Themidrashlists three reasons for Jacobs crying on this occasion. Now the birthright has returned to its owner(Gen. Rabbah98:4, [ed. After discovering that he had been tricked, Jacob married Rachel also and then worked out another seven-year contract for this marriage. Rebekah had sent him there to be safe from his angry twin brother, Esau . 16-20). Rachel probably conceived Benjamin, her second son, in the spring of 2265 AM (1739 BC). Tadshe, in Epstein, "Mi-admoniyyot ha-Yehudim," Supplement, p. Buber],Vayeze6). When Jacob introduced himself to Rachel, he told her (v. 12) that he was her fathers kinsman, that he was Rebekahs son. In the midrashic expansion, Jacob told Rachel: if to deceivehe was her fathers kinsman; and if for righteousnesshe was Rebekahs son. Deut. We can't believe God's love is free for us to receive. Jacob was quite old compared to other generations when he finally married. How old was Jacob when he married? - The Bible Made Plain 6) interpreted by the Rabbis as indicating one of the characteristics of women. Zavada, Jack. Gen. 30:1relates that when Rachel saw that she was not bearing children, she told Jacob: Give me children, or I shall die, leading the Rabbis to conclude that whoever is childless is regarded as dead (Lam. (NIV), Genesis 30:22Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb. Rachel and Leah were twin sisters, fourteen years old when Jacob came to their father's house; consequently they were twenty-one years old at the time of their marriage to Jacob (Seder 'Olam Rabbah ii.). Rachel married Jacob after he was tricked into marrying her sister Leah. At first childless, Rachel eventually gave birth to Joseph and died giving birth to Benjamin. DAY 34: Jacob Was 84 Years Old When He Married Rachel And Leah This means Jacob was Laban's nephew. Harvard Theological Review113, no. At last Rachel prayed to God, and God caused her to conceive. Only now, upon the birth of Naphtali, did Rachel sense that she had regained her former standing. Then she waived this status when she consented to Leahs marriage to Jacob. When Jacob met Rachel near the well, and proposed to marry her, she informed him that she had an elder sister, and that as her father was of a deceitful nature, he (Jacob) would be imposed upon. After Josephs birth, she exclaimed: God has taken away my disgrace (Tanhuma[ed. Jacob said to himself: When Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, went to fetchRebekah, he brought with him ten camels and all the bounty of his master(Gen. 24:10), while I have not a single nose-ring or band. The second reason for his weeping was his foreseeing that Rachel would not be buried together with him (Gen. Rabbahloc. Jacob offered to serve Laban for seven years, in exchange for the right to marry Rachel. She knew that Jacob was to have only twelve sons, and, Joseph being the eleventh son, she prayed for only one son more (Tan., Wayee, 20). According to another exegetical approach, it is Rachels son who wins the birthright. 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). By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Today, we live in a performance-based society. 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. Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2022, learnreligions.com/rachel-favored-wife-of-jacob-701193. This exegesis hints that in the rivalry between Israel and Esau [= Rome] Rachels children would emerge victorious. The Rabbis learn of Gods retaining the key of the woman giving birth from Rachel, of whom it is said: Now God remembered Rachel; God heeded her and opened her womb(BTTaanit2ab). God accepted her prayer and the sex of the fetus in her womb changed to female(BTBerakhot60a;Tanhuma[ed. Systems of Transliteration Citation of Proper Names. Jacobs other wife is Rachels sister Leah, which causes issues between the sisters, especially because Leah is able to bear children. 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. The Birth of Benjamin and the Death of Rachel. Instead, he must accept the first-born, the son of the unloved one, and allot to him a double portion of all he possesses. The midrash compares this mandate with the story of Jacob. "Jacob and Rachel at the Well, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot, c. 1896-1902. 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. Buber],Vayeshev19). In another tradition, Rachel stole these idols so that they would not reveal to Laban that Jacob had fled with his wives, his children and his flocks (Tanhuma,Vayeze12). Gen. xxv. All this means that Jacob was married to Rachel for some time between about 15 years and 22 years. Gen. 33:2relates: putting the maids and their children first, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last, to which the midrash comments: The more behind, the more beloved(Gen. Rabbah78:8). Scripture says Rachel was beautiful. Jacob insisted on giving the child the name of Benjamin, or "son of my right hand."[1]. 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). When Laban caught up with them, he searched for the idols, but Rachel had hidden the statues under her camel's saddle. Rachel said: Were not the vicissitudes that Jacob underwent for me? This exposition aims to applaud Jacobs strength, which increased due to his love for Rachel. Bilhah bore children to Jacob, causing Leah to give her servant Zilpah to Jacob, who had children with her. When his time came to take leave of the world, he summoned his sons, but he did not choose Joseph instead of Reuben. Rachel asks Jacob: Is this how your father [Isaac] acted toward your mother [Rebekah]? Who was married to Rachel in the Bible? - Catholicism from A to Z This midrash compares the barrenness of the three Matriarchs and the conduct of the three Patriarchs, which intensifies the criticism of Jacob, who should have acted as his forefathers did, and pray on behalf of Rachel in accordance with her wishes. 4; "Sefer ha-Yashar," section "Wayee," p. 47a). Thismidrashincorporates several aggadic traditions according to which Leah gave birth to Issachar and Zebulun by merit of the mandrakes that she gave her sister. Jacob is ultimately allowed to marry Rachel, which he does immediately after the festivities related to his wedding to Leah end, in exchange for another seven years' labor. Elijah came and stood before them. The Rabbis were concerned with the nature of this kiss, which they regarded as an improper act. The first was his anguish at his poverty. Her death occurred not far from Ephrath, and she was buried on the road leading thither, Jacob setting up a pillar on her grave to perpetuate her memory (xxxv. So Rachel offered her handmaid, Bilhah, as her surrogate. Although Rachel died young, the Rabbis indicate her positive influence on her descendants, even long after her passing. By ancient custom, Bilhah's children would be credited to Rachel. 14-15), Rachel's feelings were wounded, and she replied bitterly: "Jacob is not thy husband; he is mine. If she had, then she would not have been able to employ a ruse to stop her father from searching her belongings too closely (see below). God took pity on Leah and allowed her to bear children, while Rachel was barren. The Rabbis observe that a woman usually goes to her mothers household, but since Rachels mother was dead, she had none to tell about Jacob besides her father(Gen. Rabbah70:13). Jealous of her sister, Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife. Is this the reward of your sister Rachel, who gave you her signs with her husband on your wedding night, to spare you embarrassment? As punishment for this behavior, Leah was caused even greater mortification with the episode ofDinah(Gen. Rabbati,Vayishlah, p. 168). When Rachel heard this, she ran to tell her father. Rachel's early decease was due, according to the general opinion of the Rabbis, to Jacob's involuntary curse uttered when Laban was searching for the teraphim, "With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live" (Gen. xxxi. Once she has given birth, she places the blame on her child (Tanhuma[ed. InJer. Jacob said to Rachel: who has deniedyoufruit of the wombHe denied you, but me He did not deny [since I have sons from Leah]. Rabbah[ed. Agadah to Gen. xxx. Rachel and Jacob were cousins. Joseph thereby is awarded a double portion, which is the right of the firstborn. Jacob retorted in anger that he did not stand in the place of God, Who alone decided questions of that sort. There is also an intermediate approach, which argues that Reuben should have received the birthright, but it was permanently taken from him because of his sin. When Jacob blesses Joseph before his death, he tells his son(Gen. 49:25): The God of your father who helps you, and Shaddai who blesses you [] blessings of the breast and the womb. The Rabbis comment on this: Come and see how greatly Jacob loved Rachel. 10:5], and therefore Rachel died during childbirth(Gen. 35:19). 3; Pire R. El. According to one of these interpretations, the disgrace to which Rachel refers is the affair of theConcubine of a Levite(Jud. In this manner, the barren women became one of the Matriarchs of the nation. Genesis 29:18Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, "Ill work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel." The Story of Jacob and his Wives Leah and Rachel - SlideServe The Rabbis did not view this exchange between the sisters favorably. [2] Thus Leah would be the older sister only in the sense of having been born first. How old were Rachel and Leah when they married Jacob? How old - Quora 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. Joshua son of Nun was an Ephraimite, one of Rachels descendants. Leah conceived a son that very evening, and bore him the next year. Jacob agreed to this. They assert that Jacobs kiss was not a wanton one, but one that expressed familial feeling, since Rachel was related to him (Gen. Rabbahloc. genesis - How old was Jacob when he first saw Rachel? - Biblical 2:20): But Esther still did not reveal her kindred or her people and did not mention her Jewish origins in the palace of Ahasuerus(Gen. Rabbah71:5;Tanhuma,Vayeze6). The Rabbis ask why Jacob buried Rachel on the road to Ephrath, and not in the Cave of Machpelah. Have an update or correction? 10:12): Stand still, O sun, at Gibeon, O moon, in the Valley of Aijalon! was by merit of Rachels kindness (Tanhuma[ed. She was the second daughter of Laban, Rebekah's brother, making Jacob her first cousin. So we would only be guessing if we came up with an age for Leah and Rachel. Rachel died while giving birth to Benjamin. Meet Rachel - Favored Wife of Jacob. However, the text of Genesis 35:9-15 is a narrative that begins with a recapitulation of an earlier incident: the second appearance of God to Jacob and the renaming of Jacob to Israel. In any case, Rachel cannot have conceived Benjamin earlier than the springtime. How old? Answer (1 of 5): How old was Jacob when he married his wife in the Bible? 15 (see Biblical Data, above) is the source of the midrashic legend that when the Israelites were driven into captivity by Nebuzar-adan, and the supplications of the Patriarchs and of Moses proved of no avail, Rachel arose from her grave and implored God's clemency, basing her plea upon her own self-abnegation with regard to her sister. Laban's excuse was that it was not their custom to marry off the younger daughter before the older one. The proverb teaches that we should not be surprised by this similarity, since Rachel was exceedingly beautiful, so was her son. When Laban came to search her tent, Rachel asked him to excuse her for not rising, because she was menstruating. The impregnation of Sarah and Rachel, the Matriarchs of the nation, heralds that God will also deliver their descendants from the troubles they would suffer in the future. 14). cit.). Agadah to Gen. xxx. At his meeting with Esau, Jacob showed his particular affection for Rachel by placing her last, with her son Joseph (xxxiii. Leah was busy with raising her children and therefore could not care for the needs of the household. After that I consoled myself, I suffered [to overcome] my desire and had compassion for my sister that she not suffer disgrace, and I gave her all the signs that I had given to my husband, so that he would think that she was Rachel. Rachel: The Epitome of Motherhood - Bereishit (Genesis) - Parshah - Chabad Since he did not have the money to pay the bride price (the mohar ) for her, he agreed to work seven years for him and then marry Rachel. 26-28). Bilhah bore Jacob two sons, Dan and Naphtali, the first by her own merit, and the second by the merit of Rachel (Gen. Rabbati,Vayeze, p. 121). Jewish Women's Archive. Jacob told her that he was the son of her aunt Rebekah. xxxi. Rachels son Benjamin knew about the sale of Joseph but did not reveal it to his father; therefore(Ex. [1] She hid these teraphim in her saddle bag, and sat on them. Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. This midrash indicates a certain correction of the injustice done to Rachel. As compensation for this negative depiction, Scripture calls Israel after her, after her son, and after her sons son. Rachel and Leah both took Jacob's side. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. [3] This traditional site lies four miles south of Jerusalem and one mile north of Bethlehem. Leah suddenly found herself sterile after the birth of Judah, and offered Jacob her own handmaid as well. While Rachel was barren for the first fourteen years of her marriage, she is still described as Jacob's preferred wife and a powerful woman. According to another tradition, the word naftali is to be derived fromninfei(bride). Yet he did not bring his beloved Rachel there, nor did he carry her to the more distant Hebron, but laid her to rest alongside the road. Due to the shame that Benjamin suffered through no fault of his own, he merited having the Divine Presence rest in his portion [the Temple was erected in the portion of the tribe of Benjamin], which thereby publicly proclaimed his innocence. Did he not go to Laban only because of me? (Gen. Rabbahloc. R. xxx. Leah knew that twelve tribes would issue from Jacob. 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 Rachel's death occurred fifteen years after her marriage, she must have died at the age of thirty-six (Seder 'Olam Rabbah l.c. 19:11) drippings of the comb [nofet zufim], which are in the portion of Naphtali, who will engage in Torah study (Gen. Rabbahloc. 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Leah bore Jacob six sons and a daughter. However, since he was delayed in fulfilling his vow [as is related inGen. 35:17], he was punished by having to bury Rachel. Buber],Mikez13). Who is Rachel in The Bible? The Rabbis further learned from Jacobs words that a wifes death profoundly affects her husband(BTSanhedrin22b). Rachel feared that her deeds were not favorable in the eyes of God, which resulted in her barrenness. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges.". From the Jewish Museum, New York, via Wikimedia Commons. 13). However, the Rabbis debate the reason behind God granting her the ability to bear children. According to another tradition, all three mothers (Leah, Bilhah, and Zilpah) gathered and said: We have enough males; let her [Rachel] be remembered(Gen. Rabbah72:6). God thereupon promised her the restoration of Israel (Lam. Gen. 30:1states: When Rachel saw that she had borne Jacob no children, she became envious of her sister, leading the Rabbis to apply to Rachel the verseCant. Agadat Bereshit li. B. God took pity on Leah and allowed her to bear children, while Rachel was barren. It speaks of a tradition possessed by Jacob that Esau would fall only by the hand of Rachels sons.
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