Rachel Weeps for her Children

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  1. Rachel's Death and Burial

    Rabbi Yaakov Medan

    Where was Rachel buried? Why is she the one crying for her children, and why does God answer her prayers? The answers to these questions leads us on a fascinating journey that begins with the Yosef and Binyamin (from the birth of Binyamin and the selling of Yosef through the Concubine on Givah, the destruction of Shiloh, and the exile of the ten tribes), continues with the civil wars throughout the generations (from the selling of Yoself through the murder of Gedalia to the destruction of the Second Temple and the Bar Kokhva Revolt). Rachel's prayer for Binyamin in the merit of her selflessness for him, and her prayer for Yosef and for all of Israel in the merit of her ability to conquer her natural jealousy toward her sister - these prayers have stood by Israel throughout the generations.

  2. Rachel Weeping for Her Children

    Rabbi David Sabato

    This unique prophecy exalts the figure of Rachel and has been a source of inspiration for future generations. It has engraved the image of a loving and compassionate mother on the consciousness of the exiled and tormented people for thousands of years.

    Yaakov's lack of reconciliation with the loss of Yosef expresses his inner recognition that Yosef is alive. This is the principle alluded to by Rachel's continuous bitter weeping. Her non-stop weeping and refusal to be comforted testify to a similar cognition: Deep inside, Rachel knows and feels that her children will one day return to their land. This weeping is not a weeping of despair but a weeping meant to stir up the mercies of Heaven for her children and return them to their land. Just as Yaakov merited to be comforted and to see his lost son, so too Rachel is promised that her weeping will have an effect, and in the end her children will return to their land.

    In contrast, the second part of the prophecy describes a return of a different kind. Here, the son is active in the process; Ephraim's desire to return is what drives the wheels of salvation. Indeed, here too there is parental love for a lost son, but this is a father's love for his son, which symbolizes God's love for Israel.

    The difference between the two parts stands out in the root "shov." In the first part, it appears twice and denotes the children's return to the land as a result of Rachel's weeping. In contrast, in the second part, it appears three times and describes Ephraim's repentance, which will bring about his salvation.

  3. Yaakov and Yosef, Rachel and Israel: Weeping for the Exiled and Hope for Return

    Rabbi David Sabato

  4. Yirmiyahu 31-32

    Matan Al Haperek

    Rabbi David Sabato

    At the center of the prophecy of consolation in perek 31 is the description of the Matriarch Rachel who pleas bitterly before the Creator that He should return her sons to their land and redeem them from their exile; a plea which has echoed in the heart of the Jewish nation in all the generations and in all the diasporas. The perek focuses on the Kingdom of Israel which is in ruins in exile and foresees repentance, the return to the land and the unification of Israel and Judah. The deep change which will happen in the Nation of Israel is expressed also in the continuation of the perek (26-39), where we find three short prophecies which open with the phrase "Behold the days come, says the Lord", which describe the future which will take place in the era of the redemption.

    Perek 32 describes the second year of the siege on Jerusalem, about a year before the city's destruction. Yirmiyahu, who is imprisoned in the court of the guard, receives a commandment to do something extraordinary - to purchase a field from his cousin. This action, which symbolizes renewal and redemption, is totally contrary to the current situation in the city and to Yirmiyahu's prophecies about absolute destruction by the king of Babylonia. This contrast brings Yirmiyahu to question God's behavior (16-25). His question is answered by God in a long and detailed answer (26-44), which presents the purchase as a symbol of redemption and growth after the Babylonian exile. 

  5. The Weeping of Yosef and Yirmiyahu

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  6. Rachel: Mother at the Crossroads

    Shani Taragin | Hour

    This shiur explores the development of the character of Rachel, by analyzing the birth narrative of Yaakov’s children, and her challenges with infertility. Through Rachel’s journey to the appreciation of God’s role in the world, we can understand why she remains at the crossroads and the eternal message she represents for all generations.

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com