Rachel had been given Bilhah as a handmaiden by her father Laban upon her marriage to Jacob. Hi Rachel. 30 4,9 Rachel and Leah being both barren, give their maids unto their husband, and they bare him children. Her life was not easy and she encountered great suffering during her short life. The reason for this was Josephs fear that Esau would see Rachel and desire her. The criteria that she had set for her identity was not fulfilled. 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. Part 2 Social Barrenness. Some midrashim view the name given by Rachel to her son Joseph as a prophecy for what would befall his descendants. The first was his anguish at his poverty. Her name means "ewe" (a female sheep) which is pretty much a giveaway of what her father did for a living. We have seen that Rachel wasnt the kindest person to live with. The contention between the two women did not cease even after Rachels death, and arose again as regards the seniority of Jacobs sons: who would be considered the firstbornthe son of Leah, or of Rachel; and similarly, regarding the origin of Elijah, the harbinger of the Redemption. 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? The idea of a great struggle here means to wrestle or fight. Even when he came to bless her son, he made him [Joseph] secondary to her. She stole her fathers gods. After agreeing to share until they can find other accommodations, they realize something sinister, and likely inescapable, is unfolding. 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]. 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. Jacob discovered the morning after the wedding night that he had been deceived. alamosa elementary school; texas nonprofit certificate of formation; donorschoose employees; fig restaurant near alabama; jefferson county floodplain map; Lit. 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. Know that the trying of your faith works patience (James 1:3-4). Genesis 30:22 Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened Though Rachel bore Jacob a second son, Benjamin, she also died during his birth. She wants more. Rachel was so much more than a jealous and discontented woman. I am from the descendants of Rachel(Gen. Rabbah71:9). The love story of Rachel and Jacob is the perfect example of a romantic tragedy. 31:20Israel is called after her sons son: Truly, Ephraim is a dear son to Me(Ruth Rabbah7:11:13). Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, We are witnesses. When Jacob was to marry Rachel, he instead married Leah, who fooled Jacob by her veil. Did I not go to Laban only for Rachel? Then she waived this status when she consented to Leahs marriage to Jacob. Joseph thereby is awarded a double portion, which is the right of the firstborn. Labans excuse was that his peoples tradition is to marry the oldest off first. She was no pushover. Start your free trial today. Rachelis also the younger sister of Leah, Jacobs first wife, and Jacobs first cousin. Attractive design ideal for your home, office, church . 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). Rachels son Benjamin knew about the sale of Joseph but did not reveal it to his father; therefore(Ex. When Laban accused Jacob of this theft, Jacob declared: But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live(Genesis 31:32a). Jacob would work 7 more years for Rachel. Jacob asked Rachel: Will you marry me? She answered: Yes, but my father is a deceiver, and you will not be able to best him. He asked her: What is his deceit [in what will he be able to deceive me]? She told him: I have an older sister, and he will not marry me off before her. He said: I am his brother in deceit. Jacob gave Rachel signs [so that he would be able to recognize her on their wedding night]. Every time she saw her nieces and nephews, she felt inferior. 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). Also, with each success she experienced with the birth of a son through her handmaid, she acknowledged it as a blessing from God. Scholars say her father probably named her when he considered the tenderness with which he had to handle the lambs in his flock. He said to them: My masters, why do you disagree about me? Jeremiah writes about the nation of Israel being taken away into exile, A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. In Bible times, motherhood was the main role of married women. What was the purpose of a dowry (Genesis 31:15)? Sarah, the first barren female The first woman recorded in Scripture as being childless (barren) was Sarai, the wife of Abraham (later renamed Sarah). 9And when Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife. But having left home without money, he couldnt afford the bride price. 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. Before his death, Jacob praises Joseph for acting in this manner, when he says of his son(Gen. 49:22): Joseph is a wild ass, a wild ass by a spring [ayin, also meaning eye]I must reward you for that eye [for having concealed Rachel from Esaus eye](Gen. Rabbah78:10). Referred to alternatively as the "Day of Judgement" and the "Day of Blowing" (of the, Lit. However, since he was delayed in fulfilling his vow [as is related inGen. 35:17], he was punished by having to bury Rachel. Although Jacob renamed him, in other places in the Scriptures, Rachels sorrow is remembered. Rachel said: Were not the vicissitudes that Jacob underwent for me? "Rachel: Midrash and Aggadah." 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. rachel was barren for how many years. 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. What am I, flesh and blood, dust and ashes, that I was not jealous of my rival wife, and that I did not allow her to be shamed and disgraced, but You, merciful living and eternal King, why were You jealous of idolatry that is of no import, and exiled my children who were slain by the sword, and allowed their enemies to do with them as they pleased? Gods mercy was immediately revealed, and He said: For your sake, Rachel, I shall return Israel to their placefor there is a reward for your labor []. She raised Joseph and Benjamin as if she were their mother(Gen. Rabbah84:11). There were both social and economic implications. And Jacob answered, Thou shalt give me nothing at all: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will return, feed, and keep thy sheep. 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). Hes wanting to bring you closer to him. The insecurity in her own female skin was so real. The Bible verses which tell the story of Rachel begin in Genesis 29 and continue through Genesis 35. Rachels sister Leah produced four sons for Jacob, Rachels jealousy of her sisters ability to produce children for Jacob caused her to give her servant, The conflict between Leah and Rachel caused Leah to give her servant. The exegetes holding this view find Rachels words(Gen. 30:15) to be somewhat prophetic: I promise, he shall lie with you tonightwith you he will lie [in the grave], but with me he will not lie [in the grave]. Who Was Childless in the Bible? - Bible Study cit.). 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). Rachels father Laban was the brother of Rebekah, Jacob mother. Based on an alternate reading of Hannah's invocation to God in 1 Samuel 2:5, "While the barren woman bears seven," as "On seven occasions has the barren woman borne," the seven barren women are said to include Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, Rachel . 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. She died young. There are six stories of barren women in the Hebrew Bible: three of the four matriarchs, Sarah (Genesis 11:30), Rebekah (25:21), and Rachel (29:31); Hannah, mother of the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 1-2); the anonymous wife of Manoah, mother of Samson (Judges 13); and the "great woman of Shunem," also called the Shunammite, an acolyte of the prophe. This is what the Lord says: A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more. Jeremiah 31:15. CHAPTER 30:25-43 Parallel Commentaries And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach, gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular, To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male, Preposition | third person feminine singular, To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve, Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular. Rachel Baran is an extraordinarily talented U.S.-based photographer who creates amazing surreal and conceptual portraits that thousands of people have fallen in love with. Leah, the eldest, had eyes that were "delicate.". Children were seen as the greatest blessing and the primary purpose of a marriage was to bring children into the world. Themidrashlinks the birth of Joseph and the departure from the house of Laban with the encounter with Esau. Accordingly, after the birth of Joseph, Esaus foil, Jacob resolved that the time had come to return to his homeland(Gen. Rabbah73:7). If she breaks a vessel within the house, whom shall she blame for this? After Jacob introduced himself and revealed his relationship with Rachels family, Rachel reported his arrival to her father. 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. Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. 17And God heard Leah and she conceived, and bare unto Jacob the fifth son. According to another tradition, the word naftali is to be derived fromninfei(bride). In thismidrash, Rachel has the insight that the birth of children is a reward from God. Im a woman. Just check out Josephs story and youll see a tiny bit. Lets explore a few. The disgrace and shame was real. 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. Rachel and Joseph were most beloved by Jacob, and therefore they stood last. God said to Jacob: Is this how one replies to embittered women? When Jacob wanted to leave Haran, he summoned his wives to the field and told them of his plans. It could be that she worshipped many gods or maybe she intended to spite her father who did not allow her any of the dowry or inheritance. Today we would say Rachel is easy on the eyes. When you consider that her husband Jacob died at 147 years old, Rachel really didnt have a long life. How many more promotions? Giving her servant to her husband had nothing to do with love. The midrash teaches how she experienced the social shame of being a barren woman. Stop and think for a moment how hard life must be for someone who cannot be content. 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. 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. https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/459520/jewish/Rachels-Amazing-Secret.htm, https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/rachel-midrash-and-aggadah#pid-16554.
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