14; Midr. Jacobs response is described in v. 2: Jacob was incensed at Rachel, and said, Can I take the place of God, who has denied you fruit of the womb? The midrashic exegesis further intensifies Jacobs strong statement. Jacob loved Rachel passionately even before they were married, but Rachel thought, as her culture had taught her, that she needed to bear children to earn Jacob's love. Jewish philosopher, scholar, and physician. Rachel said: I prepared myself [nupeti, i.e., I prepared myself for Jacobs bed], I allowed myself to be persuaded [pititito withdraw in favor of my sister and to aid her to be Jacobs wife], I exalted my sister over myself [taliti ahoti alai], and I have prevailed(Gen. Rabbah71:8). Jacob was quite old compared to other generat. 21). Benjamin, who had just been born, needed a wet nurse; a miracle was performed for Bilhah and her breasts filled with milk, thus enabling her to nurse the newborn(Tanhuma,Vayeshev7; see also the entry: Bilhah). 15). Rachels good deeds also positively influenced her children. Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. Bilhah: Midrash and Aggadah | Jewish Women's Archive Rachel immediately told her father Laban about the helpful stranger at the well. Had I not revealed to thee our signs, he would never have become thy husband" (Midr. Laban's younger daughter, who became one of Jacob's wives (Gen. xxix. She told her father she was having her period, making her ceremonially unclean, so he did not search near her. It was through the merit of her discretion that Rachel became the ancestress of King Saul, who also was discreet (Meg. Themidrashasserts that the salvation that occurred in his time in the war at Gilgal(Josh. Corrections? "Staging Rachel: Rabbinic Midrash, Theatrical Mime, and Christian Martyrdom in Late Antiquity." pseudo-Jonathan ad loc.). 1; Gen. R. lxxi. Some argued that he was from the tribe of Gad, while others maintained that he was a Benjaminite. The Bible does not say when Rachel was born, nor how old she was when she married Jacob, nor how long she lived. Rachel in the Bible: Characteristics and lessons learned Her first meeting with Jacob occurred at a well near Haran, whither she had taken the flocks for water.
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