Our Mother Rachel

The death of Rachel was one of the most tragic stories in the Torah. Yakov’s one true love perished while giving birth to Binyamin, the youngest of the twelve brothers.

The Torah added that a monument was built in Beit Lechem, her place of burial. The memorial was not made because Rachel needed it. But it was created so that her children could visit her place of burial, and ask her to pray in Heaven on their behalf.

Rachel is viewed more as our mother, even more than the other matriarchs. She is the one who is particularly not at peace when her children went into exile.

There is a great deal of emotion connected with our Mother Rachel. She stood out for her devotion to her sister, Leah and to her children.

We read on Rosh Hashanah the Haftarah that describes “ the voice heard on high. Rachel crying for her children.” This refers to the sadness she felt at seeing the Jewish people leaving their homeland, to live in foreign countries. She is ultimately comforted when Hashem said, “Stop your voice from and your eyes from tears. There is reward for your actions. Your children will return to their borders.”

We are living at a time when the tragedy of Rachel’s life is witnessing a happy ending. Finally, her children are coming home!