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. Themidrashrecords a disagreement among the Rabbis concerning the origins of Elijah. Rather, he told the latter(Gen. 49:3): Reuben, you are my first-born; notwithstanding this, Jacob also spoke disparagingly of him (v. 4): Unstable as water, you shall excel no longer. Many years later, Moses would bless Reuben and release him from this disgrace(Deut. Rachel and Leah both took Jacob's side. Some midrashim view the name given by Rachel to her son Joseph as a prophecy for what would befall his descendants. Rachel said: If Leah were not righteous, would she have given birth?(Gen. Rabbah71:6). If you forgot, she was best friends with Rachel Green ( Jennifer Aniston ) before she wound up . [6] (Genesis 31:19-20 ) Jones[7] records that the phrase "born to him in Padan-aram" that appears after the listing of Jacob's sons (Genesis 35:26 ) can also mean "engendered by him in Padan-aram." Rachel said: I should have been Jacobs bride before my sister. According to these first two traditions, Naphtalis name portrays an experience undergone by Rachel. Jennifer Grey Talks Her 'Friends' Role, Explains Why She Couldn't [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.] He was then allowed to marry Rachel as well, in return for seven more years of labour. Rachel lived in Harran, or Paddan Aram, and that's where she met her cousin Jacob. At first childless, Rachel eventually gave birth to Joseph and died giving birth to Benjamin. Rather, I said: If I am not worthy that the world should be built from me, let it be built from my sister (Gen. Rabbahloc. According to this view, from the outset the birthright belonged to Rachels son, which was the intent of both God and Jacob. Various Jewish sources say Rachel died at age 36 and other sources say age 45. Rachel's envy at her sister's fertility (comp. 4; "Sefer ha-Yashar," section "Wayee," p. 47a). 2227 AM-m. 2245 AM-2266 AM) (ca. 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. 19:11) drippings of the comb [nofet zufim], which are in the portion of Naphtali, who will engage in Torah study (Gen. Rabbahloc. Instead of giving Laban the traditional bride-price, Jacob agreed to work for Laban seven years to earn Rachel's hand in marriage. Consort with her [] that through her I too may have children (Gen. Rabbahloc. Agadah toGen. 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). 5:14): From Ephraim came they whose roots are in Amalek [literally: From Ephraim came those who will destroy Amalek from its roots]and Israel will be rescued only by the son 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. 15). [3] This traditional site lies four miles south of Jerusalem and one mile north of Bethlehem. xxxvi. Themidrashrelates that there was no maiden comelier than Rachel, which was why Jacob desired to wed her, and sent her presents. Jacob loved Rachel but was indifferent toward Leah. When Jacob wanted to leave Haran, he summoned his wives to the field and told them of his plans. (2022, December 6). Though she and Jacob were deeply in love, she did not conceive for many years. She bore him in 2259 AM. Rachel is mentioned twice in the Old Testament beyond her story in Genesis. 10:5], and therefore Rachel died during childbirth(Gen. 35:19). cit.). Now the birthright has returned to its owner(Gen. Rabbah98:4, [ed. And there is hope for your futuredeclares the Lord: Your children shall return to their country (Lam. 22). 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. B. By ancient custom, Bilhah's children would be credited to Rachel. How old was Rachel when she died. We don't need to perform good works to earn it. 15). Rachel - Wikipedia The midrash relates that three keys remain with God and were not entrusted to an agent [=angel]: the key of rain, the key of the woman giving birth and the key of the resurrection of the dead. 11). (Viewed on May 1, 2023) . We can't believe God's love is free for us to receive. Jacob said to Joseph that he had buried Rachel near Ephrath, where Bethlehem now stands. The Rabbis did not view this exchange between the sisters favorably. The Birth of Benjamin and the Death of Rachel. Leah bore Jacob six sons and a daughter. Jacob then married Rachel and worked for Laban another seven years for her. Rachel's father Laban was the brother of Rebekah, Jacob mother. 3). Buber],Vayeshev19). And there is hope for your futuredeclares the Lord: Your children shall return to their country(Gen. Rabbah82:10). 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. 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. Most of the Rabbis consider the idea of Rachel being an envious woman as incompatible with what has been previously said of her.