Rachel's Place of Burial

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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. Menasheh and Ephraim: Who Was Being Blessed?

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    תאריך פרסום: תשע"ה | |

    This shiur analyzes Yaakov's vision and strategy through the lens of the penultimate blessing scene in Beresheet, drawing on parallels with other scenes of blessings or instructions involving the forefathers. Yaakov wants to create a symbiosis such that there are two counterbalancing forces within the family.

  4. A Great Silence: The Story of Rachel's Death

    Rabbi Elchanan Samet

    A great silence envelops the episode of Rachel's death – principally because the text refrains from describing Yaakov's emotional response to the death of his beloved wife. We hear neither a broken-hearted cry nor any description of an act of mourning. What is the meaning of this silence?

  5. Rachel's Burial "On The Way"

    Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

    The story of Rachel's death is a melancholy one.  Rachel, who so longed for children, dies in childbirth.  What is the significance of this? And why is she buried "on the way"? Is it simply the result of circumstance, since she dies on the way?

    It seems that Rachel's entire existence symbolizes "the way," the process.  Her life is a story of constant grappling with processes, and it is from Rachel we learn the significance of process.

  6. Yaakov's Blessing to Yosef

    Rabbi Yehuda Rock

    Yaakov's monologue in Parshat Vayechi comprises three parts:

    a. Mention of the blessing of "the Almighty God" (El Sha-dai) to Yaakov (3-4)

    b. Status bestowed on Ephraim and Menasheh like that of Yaakov's sons for the purposes of inheritance (5-6)

    c. Mention of the death and burial of Rachel (7)

    Through an examination of the significance of each part and the connections between them, we can learn an important lesson about the inheritance of the Land of Israel. 

  7. Kever Rachel - in Beit Lechem?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  8. 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