Rachel, Our Matriarch: A Legacy of Compassion and Sacrifice

1. The life story of our Matriarch Rachel is woven with sacrifice, silence, selflessness, pain, and suffering. Join us as we embark on a journey through the life of Rachel, our matriarch.

2. Rachel was born in the year 1553 BCE in Paddan Aram, also known as Haran, to her father Laban, son of Bethuel. Rachel and her twin sister Leah lost their mother at a young age.

3. Meanwhile, Jacob, our patriarch, was sent by his mother to Haran to find refuge from his brother Esau's wrath with his mother's family.

4. Jacob and Rachel meet by a well, and through divine insight, Jacob knows she is destined for him. He expresses his desire to marry her to Laban, her father. Since he has no dowry, Jacob offers to work for Laban for seven years for Rachel's hand in marriage, and Laban agrees. Jacob, wary that Laban might trick him and give him Leah instead, agrees with Rachel on secret signs to exchange on their wedding night to ensure Laban can't deceive them.

5. But Laban has other plans. He instructs Rachel not to attend her own wedding, deciding instead to marry Leah to Jacob. Rachel, unable to bear the thought of her sister's shame, gives Leah the secret signs at the time of the chuppah.

6. With the signs, Leah and Jacob marry, and the next morning, Jacob discovers the deceit and angrily confronts crafty Laban. Laban responds that in their land, it is not customary to marry off the younger sister before the older. If Jacob still wants Rachel, he can work another seven years for her. Jacob accepts and continues to work seven more years for Rachel.

Rabbi Zamir Cohen shares a few words about our Matriarch Rachel. Plus: The significance of the mitzvah of Challah separation and its benefits throughout the year. Watch:

7. After 11 years of unimaginable waiting and suffering, Hashem answers Rachel's prayers, and she gives birth to Joseph. She continues to implore Hashem for another son, and indeed, she becomes pregnant again.

6. Jacob and his family leave Aram after a series of disputes with Laban, and as they near Bethlehem, Rachel goes into labor. She struggles greatly during childbirth and tragically dies at just 36 years old.

8. Jacob foresaw that exiles would pass through Bethlehem, so he chose to bury her there, so she would always plead for mercy for her children.

In the Book of Zohar, it is written that when the people of Israel return from exile, they will stand by Rachel's grave and weep, just as she wept for their exile.

9. It is known that in Judaism every suffering has value and meaning. Rachel's good deeds are never forgotten by Hashem, to the point where in dire times, Hashem's mercy was kindled because of her, saving the people of Israel from true destruction.

10. The Midrash tells us: "Rachel goes out to her grave, weeps, and pleads for mercy on their behalf... beseeching Hashem, saying: 'Master of the Universe! It is known before you how I had compassion on my sister and gave her the signs. If I, who am but flesh and blood, dust and ash, did not envy my sister, then you, the eternal living King, why have you exiled my children?... Immediately, Hashem's mercy was stirred, and He said 'For Rachel's sake, I will restore Israel to their place.'"