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Rachel Imeinu (Rachel the Matriarch) Born: 3074 BCE. Died: 1557 BCE. Rachel was one of the wives of Yaacov (Jacob) Avinu, sister of Leah Imeinu. Rachel was the mother of Yosef HaTzaddik and Binaymin HaTzaddik. She died in Israel while giving birth to Binyamin. Rachel was one of the first prophetesses (Yerushalmi Berachos 9:3). Rachel was known for her beauty (Bereishis Rabbah 70:16). In
reward for her modesty in giving Leah her signal and not revealing to anyone
that she had done so (Rashi),
she merited that King Shaul descend from her (Megillah
13b). Rachel died and was buried (Genesis 35:19). The burial took place immediately after death out of respect for her (Bereishit Rabbah 82:9). Rachel said, "Therefore, he shall be with you tonight" (Gen. 30:15). Because she had made light of being together with the righteous Yaacov, she was not buried with him (Bereishit Rabbah 72:3). As a girl, Leah would go out every day to the crossroads and weep and pray that she should merit to marry Yaakov, whom she had heard was righteous (and not Esav who was evil), whereas Rachel never went out on the road. Therefore, Leah merited to be buried with Yaacov, whereas Rachel's tomb stands at the crossroads (Zohar 1:223a). Yaacov set up a monument over her grave (Gen. 35:20). Each of the sons placed a stone on Rachel's grave, so that twelve stones were piled one atop the other, and Yaacov's stone was set on top of them all (Lekach Tov, Bereishit 35:20). The
place of her burial will not disappear until the day the Holy One, Blessed is
He, resurrects the dead (Zohar
1:175a). May the merit of the tzaddeket Rachel Imeinu protect us all, Amen. |