how old was rachel when she married jacob

He said to them: My masters, why do you disagree about me? When Jacob left the land of Canaan, he had vowed that he would return to Bethel and sacrifice to the Lord(Gen. 28:2022). When Rachel saw that she did not bear children, she followed in the footsteps of Sarah: just as she [Sarah] had been built (i.e., had children) through her rival wife [Hagar], so too, this one [Rachel] would be built by her rival wife [Bilhah] (Gen. Rabbahloc. These two exegetical positions derive the word akarah from ikar. The first view maintains that even though Leah had children, Rachel continued to be the beloved and preferred wife, which was expressed in the running of the household. Rachel immediately told her father Laban about the helpful stranger at the well. Once she has given birth, she places the blame on her child (Tanhuma[ed. Rachel, who was not so occupied, therefore became the mainstay of the household. 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. The Rabbis learned from this that whoever makes a vow and delays fulfilling it will bury his wife (Lev. But Laban substituted Leah, Rachel's older sister, in her place. Rachel died while giving birth to Benjamin. Executive Committee of the Editorial Board. Besides, Rachel was afraid that her father, seeing that she had no children by Jacob, might marry her to Esau (Midr. These midrashic expositions cast Rachels act in a positive light. ; Gen. R. lxxiv. Rachel asks Jacob: Is this how your father [Isaac] acted toward your mother [Rebekah]? In another midrashic tradition, however, Jacob did not initially favor Rachel over Leah. 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. 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, in Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), one of the two wives of the patriarch Jacob. Rachel - Wikipedia R. Judan's opinion, however, was that Rachel died before Leah because, although she was the younger sister, she spoke before Leah when they were addressed by their husband (ib. I buried her there, alongside the road to Ephrath, near Bethlehem." 2 Jacob was a short distance, about two-thirds of a mile, from Ephrath. Therefore, Benjamin must have been conceived shortly before the flight from Laban and born nine months later. RACHEL - JewishEncyclopedia.com This midrash criticizes Jacob for responding so harshly and inconsiderately to Rachel, who is presented as a bitter woman. 3 When all the flocks were gathered there, the . Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. 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. [2] Thus Leah would be the older sister only in the sense of having been born first. 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. The Rabbis learned from this that when God decrees greatness for a person, He decrees greatness for all his posterity to the end of time (BTMegillah13b). In thismidrash, Rachel has the insight that the birth of children is a reward from God. Agadah to Gen. xxx. The Rabbis seek to discover the reason why Rachels womb was opened. When Jacob first met Laban (his mother's brother), he immediately fell in love with his younger daughter Rachel. Did he not go to Laban only because of me? (Gen. Rabbahloc. 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). Rachel: Midrash and Aggadah | Jewish Women's Archive She hid these teraphim in her saddle bag, and sat on them. But Rachel was not content with this. The Bible does not say when Rachel was born, nor how old she was when she married Jacob, nor how long she lived. 1-min read. Instead of giving Laban the traditional bride-price, Jacob agreed to work for Laban seven years to earn Rachel's hand in marriage. He asked for Rachels hand because he thought that Leah was intended for Esau (Tanhuma[ed. "the written Torah." The Rabbis further learned from Jacobs words that a wifes death profoundly affects her husband(BTSanhedrin22b). 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. Continuing this exegetical orientation, in another midrashic depiction Jacob tells Reuben, while blessing his sons before his death: The birthright was not yours. 11). When Rachel saw that her sister was pregnant, she prayed and caused the fetuss sex to change(JTBerakhot9:3, 14[a]). Bilhah bore children to Jacob, causing Leah to give her servant Zilpah to Jacob, who had children with her. Jewish philosopher, scholar, and physician. When Rachel realized that she was barren, she emulated Sarah and gave Bilhah to Jacob, saying: "Just as this one was built by her rival wife, so, too, shall I be built by my rival wife" (Gen. Rabbah 71:30). 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. 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. Another tradition has Leah herself being responsible for the change. How old was Rachel when she married Jacob? - Answers Rachel in the Bible: Characteristics and lessons learned 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). 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. His love and our salvation come through grace. The first was his anguish at his poverty. Rachel had to choose between her love for Jacob and her compassion for her sister, and she decided in favor of the latter. 19:11) drippings of the comb [nofet zufim], which are in the portion of Naphtali, who will engage in Torah study (Gen. Rabbahloc. By her merit, Joseph was given the birthright, and her descendants rose to royalty, leadership, and greatness. InJer. 21). Thus she would be eighteen years of age when she married. So Jacob served Laban fourteen years for his two daughters and six years for the cattle a total of twenty years. Rachel feared that her deeds were not favorable in the eyes of God, which resulted in her barrenness. 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). It was through the merit of her discretion that Rachel became the ancestress of King Saul, who also was discreet (Meg. Consequently, Rachel found herself in an inferior position, since Leah bore children to Jacob, while she herself had not. How old? 26-28). In the midrashic account, many years later, when Josephs goblet was found in the sack of Benjamin(Gen. 44), the tribes stood about, beat Benjamins shoulders, and cried out: Oh thief, the son of a thief, you have shamed us! Read Genesis 29:15-30 Rachel has a son, Joseph Rachel may have been the more loved of the two women, but she was not the most fertile. His prophecy was fulfilled, asJer. 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.). Theodor-Albeck, MS. Vatican, 99:20, p. 1270]). 3). 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. Had I not revealed to thee our signs, he would never have become thy husband" (Midr. 11). Jennifer Grey Talks Her 'Friends' Role, Explains Why She Couldn't What age Rachel when she married Jacob Bible? - Answers The midrash views this confrontation between Jacob and Esau as symbolizing the future rivalries between the descendants of the two. Hadjittofi, Fotini, and Hagith Sivan. Rachel and Joseph were most beloved by Jacob, and therefore they stood last. They declare that Rachel was not envious of her sister's fertility, but of her righteousness; she thought that if Leah had not been a better woman than she, she would not have had children. At his meeting with Esau, Jacob showed his particular affection for Rachel by placing her last, with her son Joseph (xxxiii. Joseph thereby is awarded a double portion, which is the right of the firstborn. The Rabbis present Labans act of deceit as something in which Rachel was involved, from which they learn of her special qualities. Jacob agreed to this. And there is hope for your futuredeclares the Lord: Your children shall return to their country (Lam. 28:20) his tribe received the jasper [yashfe, with the meaning ofyesh pehthere is a mouth] stone in the High Priests breastpiece. 22-24). Friedmann (Ish-Shalom)], chap. Buber],Vayeze18). Jacob allowed Laban to search for the idols. But the Bible makes no specific statement to this effect. God asked Leah: Is this the reward for a good deed? Forced to serve Rachels father, Laban, for seven years to win her, Jacob was tricked at the end of that time into marrying her sister, Leah. She spends much of her married life attempting to bear children for Jacob and eventually uses her maid Bilhah as a surrogate, but Rachel still craves biological children. Jacob then married Rachel and worked for Laban another seven years for her. 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. (Genesis 29:10, NLT). Possibly in the early fall of 2248 AM (1757 BC), Rachel protested to Jacob concerning her lack of children. Rachel knows that she is Jacobs true intended bride. Referred to alternatively as the "Day of Judgement" and the "Day of Blowing" (of the shofar).Rosh Ha-Shanah, like Sarah andHannah. When Laban caught up with them, he searched for the idols, but Rachel had hidden the statues under her camel's saddle. Gen. ; Midr. Themidrashrelates that there was no maiden comelier than Rachel, which was why Jacob desired to wed her, and sent her presents. The S Club 7 singer was engaged to former Holby . The custom in those days was for a man to wait at least a week after arranging to marry a woman. Jacob insisted on giving the child the name of Benjamin, or "son of my right hand."[1]. We can't believe God's love is free for us to receive. Read the latest from JWA from your inbox. I acted kindly with her, I was not jealous of her, and I did not cause her to be shamed and disgraced. She stole the household idols (teraphim) that belonged to Laban, in the belief that those idols would confer some protective power. 1; Gen. R. lxxi. cit.). [2] Jacob had traveled a great distance to find Laban. As she was beautiful and well favored, Jacob fell in love with her and agreed to serve Laban for seven years on the condition that at the end of that time Rachel should become his wife. Yet another tradition asserts that this was not stated to Rachels credit, and confirms the fact of her barrenness. Rachel and Jacob were cousins. Only now, upon the birth of Naphtali, did Rachel sense that she had regained her former standing. Themidrashperceives Rachel as an educational figure who delineated the path that her offspring were to follow. 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. But as she approached, a stranger (Jacob) rolled the stone away for her and watered the sheep. Some argued that he was from the tribe of Gad, while others maintained that he was a Benjaminite. xxxi. It speaks of a tradition possessed by Jacob that Esau would fall only by the hand of Rachels sons. 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. The reason for this was Josephs fear that Esau would see Rachel and desire her. Buber],Vayeshev19). An opposing exegetical view, however, notes that when Jacob sent for his wives to come to the field(Gen. 31:5), theTorahstates: Jacob had Rachel and Leah called to the fieldhe called to Rachel first, and therefore she acted properly when she was the first to respond to him. Buber],Vayeze19). Overall, the midrash portrays Rachel as incredibly generous and compassionate, and her goodness is seen in her descendants. When Joseph was born, Rachel stated(Gen. 30:24): May the Lord add [yosef] another son for me. TheLit. 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. Now the birthright has returned to its owner(Gen. Rabbah98:4, [ed. Another midrash adds that by merit of Rachels silence, two tribesEphraim and Manassehissued forth from her, in addition to the other ten tribes(Gen. Rabbah71:5;Tanhuma,Vayeze6). 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). Rachel | Bible, Jacob, Leah, & Facts | Britannica "order." Rachel said: Were not the vicissitudes that Jacob underwent for me? 15). When he gives him blessings of the breast and the womb he is saying to Joseph: may the breasts that nursed such a son, and the womb that brought him forth, be blessed(Gen. Rabbah98:20, [ed. 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. [1] Jacob decided to leave quietly at night. When Jacob saw Rachel coming with the flock, he rolled the heavy stone from the mouth of the well by himself, a task that normally required more than three men; in the midrashic exposition, he rolled the stone as someone who removes a stopper from a flask(Gen. Rabbah70:12). 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. 10:16) but he did not tell him [his uncle] anything [] about [his being anointed for] the kingship. Esther, who was descended from Rachel, was similarly reticent(Esth. Jacob should have understood her pain, instead of rebuking her for the manner in which she spoke. Bethlehem is now an Arab-controlled town. 2). Rebekah had sent him there to be safe from his angry twin brother, Esau . They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. 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. The midrash connects these actions, both of which express Rachels compassionate nature. Agadah to Gen. xxix. All the furrows that I plowed in your mother [i.e., acts of intercourse] should I not have done with Rachel? Help us elevate the voices of Jewish women. 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. 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). In Ruth 4:11, she is named as one "from whom all the nation of Israel descended." 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.Seder Olam Rabbah2). 2; Midr. Vilna] petihtah 24). 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. Instead of showing understanding, he amplifies her pain by telling her that he already has four sons from Leah. Rachel married Jacob after he was tricked into marrying her sister Leah. Jacob said to Joseph that he had buried Rachel near Ephrath, where Bethlehem now stands. The Rabbis understand the wording (Gen. Did Isaac and Rebekah have a wedding? 1) is only once (Gen. R. xlv. A type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules). The Rabbis were concerned with the nature of this kiss, which they regarded as an improper act. So Rachel offered her handmaid, Bilhah, as her surrogate. So you wouldn't expect two old people, would you? The midrash explains that the education that Joseph received from his mother continued to guide him even after her death. Due to Rachels good deeds or to Reubens sin, the initial order was restored. 16-20). This was exceedingly difficult for me, when I learned of this counsel. The Rabbis did not view this exchange between the sisters favorably. Answer (1 of 5): How old was Jacob when he married his wife in the Bible? Episode 91: Israel at 75: Voices of Protest. 4:19), andMichal (daughter of Saul)(II Sam. When Laban overtook Jacob in the hill country of Gilead, he reproached him(Gen. 31:30): but why did you steal my idols?, to which Jacob replied (v. 32): But anyone with whom you find your gods shall not remain alive! Themidrashexplains that this statement by Jacob was as an error committed by a ruler [which is nevertheless implementedfollowingEccl. Midr. Her compassion also succeeded in arousing Gods mercy when He answered her prayer. 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. 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 . He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges.". 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. Forced to serve Rachel's father, Laban, for seven years to win her, Jacob was tricked at the end of that time into marrying her sister, Leah. Most of the Rabbis consider the idea of Rachel being an envious woman as incompatible with what has been previously said of her. https://www.learnreligions.com/rachel-favored-wife-of-jacob-701193 (accessed May 1, 2023). This midrash is connected to the fundamental Rabbinic disagreement as to whether the harbinger of the Redemption will be from the offspring of Rachel or from those of Leah. Rachel then offered to allow Leah to lie with Jacob that evening. 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. Leah suddenly found herself sterile after the birth of Judah, and offered Jacob her own handmaid as well. When Potiphars wife attempted to seduce Joseph, he raised his eyes and saw the image of his mother Rachel and was thereby saved from the sin of adultery(JTHorayot2:5, 46[d]). Gen. 29tells of the first meeting between Jacob and Rachel at the well. God took pity on Leah and allowed her to bear children, while Rachel was barren. 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]. Although Rachel died young, the Rabbis indicate her positive influence on her descendants, even long after her passing. Jacob was 77 years old, and he loved Rachel immediately. The midrash adds that Laban entered Rachels tent twice, because he knew that she was inclined to steal. 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. 3 (2020): 299-333. [9][10][11], Last modified on August 11, 2016, at 17:07. Therefore, Jacob was 71 years old at the time he met Rachel. And this was not allI went under the bed where he lay with my sister: he would speak with her, and I responded every time, while she remained silent, so that he would not recognize her voice. Agadat Bereshit li. This exegesis hints that in the rivalry between Israel and Esau [= Rome] Rachels children would emerge victorious. Zilpah, Leah's maid, gives birth to Gad and Asher. 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. R. xxx. 14). Laban's excuse was that it was not their custom to marry off the younger daughter before the older one. 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. Rachels son Benjamin knew about the sale of Joseph but did not reveal it to his father; therefore(Ex. Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2022, learnreligions.com/rachel-favored-wife-of-jacob-701193. Rachel married Andrew Jackson (twice) and at age 61, prior to her husband's inauguration Rachel Jackson died of a heart attack at age 61. 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. 6:23)(Gen. Rabbah82:7). Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). [Note Jacob was less than half this age when he met Rachel - this means that even compared to a modern man, he was in the prime of his life at that point.] Themidrashstates that Leah carried a male fetus in her womb during her seventh pregnancy. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/rachel-favored-wife-of-jacob-701193. In another tradition, God remembered Rachels silence when Leah was given to Jacob instead of her. 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). At the same time, they also illustrate the intricate and complex relationship betweenLeahand Rachel, the two sisters and the two wives of Jacob whose fate was intertwined. He buried her on the road to Ephrath because he foresaw that the Israelites, when driven into captivity along that road, would need her intercession with God in their behalf (Midr. Meet Rachel - Favored Wife of Jacob. 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). Rachel initially relies on her handmaiden Bilhah to bear children in her place, but Rachel eventually becomes pregnant and goes on to have one other child. 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. 31 December 1999. Jewish Women's Archive. This was the year in which Jacob fled in secret from Laban. 14; Midr. You are your mothers son! In the narrative inGen. 31:19, when Jacob fled from Labans house, Rachel stole her fathers household idols. Jacob then married Rachel and worked for Laban another seven years for her. B. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Our part is simply to accept and be thankful. TheA type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules).midrash portrays Rachel as a prophetess, and her statements and the names she gave her sons contain allusions to the future. 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. "teaching," "study," or "learning." 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?

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