Rachel Imeinu

Today, Thursday, the 11th of Cheshvan (Oct. 29) is the anniversary of our Matriarch Rachel's passing. May G-d's promise to our beloved Matriarch to bring her children back to the Land of Israel be fulfilled completely in the very near future!

Thus says G-d: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are not. Thus says G-d: Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says G-d; and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. And there is hope for your future, says G-d; and your children shall return to their own border. (Jeremiah 31:14-16)



What is it about Rahel Immenu, our Mother Rahel that makes our heart beat and our eyes tear? Who is this very special women?

After the destruction of the first temple, the prophet Jeremiah called out to our forefathers and Moshe Rabbenu, asking them to plead for the anguished Jewish people.

Abraham Avinu, wept and reminded the Al-Mighty of the awesome moment when he brought his only son as a sacrifice before G-d, at the age of a hundred. "In this merit, will You have compassion for my children?"

Yitzchak Avinu (Isaac) came before Hashem begging that He grant mercy to his children on account of his willingness to bind himself and stretch out his neck to be slaughtered at the age of thirty seven.

Next, Ya'aqob Abinu (Jacob) spoke and poured his heart out before the Creator saying that when his brother Esau wanted to kill his sons, Ya'akov Avinu was ready to give his life for them. "Will You have compassion for my children who are being slaughtered like sheep?"

Moshe Rabbenu, our beloved shepherd pleaded to Hashem, But G-d remained silent.

At that moment, Rahel Immenu prostrated herself in front of the Holy One Blessed be He and said, "My Father in Heaven, when my father gave my sister Leah as a wife to my beloved man, after he had worked for seven years so that I would be his wife, I made sure that she would not be put to shame. I shared the secret signs I made with Ya'aqob. In spite of my pain, I, a human being made of flesh and blood did not display the remotest feelings of jealousy. And You, a merciful Al-mighty, are jealous of idols, made by man out of stone and wood? You exiled my children?

Instantly, our Merciful Father in Heaven replied, "refrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your labor.... and your children shall return to their borders/boundaries."

My dear friends, this Thursday (the eleventh of Heshvan) is the anniversary of the passing of our mother, Rahel. Her compassion for her children knew no boundaries, her refined character and selfless personality is a true inspiration for all. Let us connect with her by trying to emulate her and follow in her path. Let us use our unimaginable strength to bring the redemption closer. Our forefathers did not have the power of soliciting from our G-d what she did. As her daughters, we can continue her work.*

*By Rabbanith Ruth Menashe