Yaakov and Rachel

Found 22 Search results

The Well Scene: A Betrothal
Dr. Yael Ziegler
This shiur follows the theme of a man from a foreign land meeting a woman at a well, and their meeting resulting in marriage. We will explore the unique qualities of each story. Ruth and Boaz do not meet at a well, but their unusual meeting does lead to marriage. What makes the story unique is that the female protagonist in the story is from a foreign land, instead of the man, and she is the true heroine of the story.
Yaakov and Yosef, Rachel and Israel: Weeping for the Exiled and Hope for Return
Rabbi David Sabato
Biblical Allusions to the Story of the Akeida
Dr. Avigail Rock |
Stories in Tanakh often allude to other stories by using identifying words or phrases, which is meant to teach the reader a deeper meaning about the story by connecting it to a previous episode. The story of the Akeida is alluded to no fewer than eight different times throughout the Tanakh. What are those stories and what are these references trying to teach us? By closely examining each of the stories we can gain a deeper understanding into the message of the story and learn about showing devotion to God in the correct way.
Yitzchak and Rivka's Barrenness - A New Perspective
Atara Snowbell | Hour and 9 minutes
What can we learn from Rivka's barrenness? By comparing Rivka's barrenness to that of the other Matriarchs we can better understand her story and appreciate the strong relationship between Rivka and Yitzchak, and learn about the power of prayer to change reality.
The Meeting at the Well
Rabbi Elchanan Samet
Why is it that the well serves as a choice site for meeting future wives in three biblical stories (Yitzchak, Yaakov and Moshe)? What is the role of the well in the greater narrative of Yaakov's life? This article examines the stories surrounding the well and suggests that the well serves as a focus of intensive human activity because it is the source of life for the people of the city and for their livestock. Hence it is at the well that we are able to recognize people's social attributes.

In each one of these three stories, the well highlights the principal trait of one partner in the eyes of the other (or his agent): Rivka's trait of perfect kindness in the eyes of Avraham's servant, Yaakov's love and strength in the eyes of Rachel, and Moshe's trait of justice and moral sensitivity together with a readiness to act as perceived by the daughters of Re'uel and their father.

The article also explores the symbolism of the well as the love between Yaakov and Rachel, and as a foreshadowing of their life journey together.
"And He Found Mandrakes in the Field"
Prof. Jonathan Grossman
Reviewing the continuum of the birth of Yaakov's sons, we note that it is interrupted twice. First, after the birth of Leah's first four sons, a difficult and emotional dialogue is recorded between Rachel and Yaakov. In the wake of this dialogue, Rachel gives her maidservant Bilha to Yaakov, and the Torah then continues its listing of the birth of the sons. The second interruption in the narrative occurs after the two maidservants have each borne two sons. At that point, we find the story of the mandrakes.

The need for the conversation between Yaakov and Rachel (the first interruption) to be recorded is clear: it has a tangible effect on the building of Yaakov's household, for as a result Yaakov takes Bilha, and later also Zilpa, both of whom merit to take part in the establishment of the House of Israel. In contrast, the story of the mandrakes (the second interruption) is rather surprising. We may assume that during the seven years over the course of which Yaakov's children were born, several other incidents took place, but the Torah makes no mention of them because the text is focusing here on the birth of the sons. What is the relevance of the story of the mandrakes in this context? In what way did it influence the establishment of Yaakov's family and the birth of the sons?

In order to solve this question, let us first analyze this section itself, and then try to identify its significance in the overall context of the story of Yaakov's family.
Finding a Marriage Partner at the Well
Rabbi David Silverberg
Yaakov's Response to Rachel's Frustration
Rabbi David Silverberg
Yaakov vs. Yosef: Am I in Place of God?
Rabbi David Silverberg
Yaakov and Yosef: Responding to Anxious Relatives
Rabbi David Silverberg
How Could Yaakov Marry Rachel after Marrying Leah?
Rabbi David Silverberg
Waiting for Rachel: Yamim Achadim
Rabbi David Silverberg
Do you Belittle that You Took My Husband? (Gen. 30:15) - Who Took Whose Husband?
Rabbi Gad Dishi
תאריך פרסום: תשעד | |
What was going on in the "sister switch" story, wherein Lavan gave Leah in marriage to Yaakov instead of Rachel? How was Yaakov,though savvy when it came to his brother and father, fooled by Lavan, and why did he not take action? Who participated in the marital switch? What is going on in the Yaakov-Leah relationship wherein Leah feels hated? We examine the tragic "dudaim' story within the rest of the narrative of Yaakov in Haran, and consider the possibility that Leah was completely unaware of Yaakov's original deal with Lavan. What is the Torah teaching us with this story?
Ramban
Part 3
Dr. Avigail Rock
Additional characteristics of the Ramban’s commentary on the Torah:

The Secret Torah — “Al Derekh Ha-Emet”

When the Ramban prefaces an explanation with these words, his intent is to cite a commentary based on sod (literally, secret), the hidden, mystical elements of Jewish tradition. His Kabbalistic commentaries cannot be understood by a reader unschooled in fundamental Kabbalistic concepts.

Citation and Incorporation in the Commentary of the Ramban

Psychological Sensitivity

The Ramban explains the verses using an analysis of the motivations of the dominant personalities, based on his reasoned assessment of the characters and the situations in which they find themselves.

Serus Ha-Mikra

Another exegetical tool employed by the Ramban in his commentary is serus ha-mikra, the inversion or transposition of the verse. Sometimes, in order to understand the intent of the verse, one should read it as if the sequence of the words is different.

Abbreviation and Elaboration

When there is a certain lack of correlation between the initial description of an event and the later recapitulation of the same event, the Ramban explains the lack of correlation using the following rule: “It is the way of the verses to abbreviate it in one place and to elaborate in another place.”

There is no doubt that the Ramban is one of the most influential figures in terms of shaping the world of biblical exegesis and the Jewish worldview generally.
Vayeitzei: Consequences of Jacob's Deceit
Rabbi David Fohrman |
Last week, we saw Jacob trick his father Isaac and stole Esau's birthright, devastating his brother and causing him to cry. Are we really meant to applaud Jacob's behavior? In this video, Rabbi Fohrman explores the scene when Jacob and Rachel first meet, in which Jacob too cries. Through a deeper understanding of this midrash, we are shown special insights into the text and can begin to understand how Jacob can be called a man of truth.

If you enjoyed this video, please visit AlephBeta.org to watch more.
Vayetze: How Could Yaakov Marry Two Sisters?
Rabbi David Silverberg | 40 minutes
According to the view forefathers kept the Torah, how could Yaakov marry two sisters? What is the meaning of the idea that the forefathers kept the Torah? Did the mitzvot only apply in the Land of Israel? Where they stringencies back then, or did they embody higher levels of consciousness? We explore different ideas about Rachel's marriage and death, and consider the concept of relinquishing stringencies if they come at the expense of another person.
Parshat Vayetze Part 1: Jacob's Ladder
Debra Geller | 29 minutes
Upon leaving Be’er Sheva, Yaakov encounters two seemingly unrelated incidents- the dream of the ladder in Beit El, and meeting Rachel at the well. Through an examination of the text and focusing on the key words of the perek we can notice that these incidents are both instrumental in forming Yaakov’s character.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Parshat Vayeitze - When Yaacov Met Rachel
Rabbi Yaacov Steinman | 30 minutes
Rachel is coming with the flocks, and when Yaakov saw her, he rolled the stone from above the well and watered the sheep of Lavan. Three times in one verse it is mentioned that she is the daughter of Lavan, brother of his mother. What accounts for this repetition? Why is there a need to say that it Lavan is the brother of his mother?

This story parallels the story of Rivka and the servant of Avraham, with the watering of flocks. But Yaakov -perhaps deliberately -takes the place of Rivka in an act of hessed to Rachel. It is the same but opposite model of theforefather meeting the foremother.
Parshat Vayetze Part 2: The Conjugal Switch
Rabbi Gad Dishi | 22 minutes
A close examination of perek 29 reveals clear parallels between the story of the switch between Rachel and Leah and the story of Yaakov stealing the blessing in the previous perek. Therefore, we may suggest that this story comes as a form of retribution for Yaakov’s deception.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Parshat Vayetze Part 3: The Currency of Jealousy
Rabbi Gad Dishi | 26 minutes
Through a close reading of the text describing the birth of Yaakov’s children in perakim 29-30, we can come to a deeper understanding of the relationship between Yaakov and his wives Rachel and Leah.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
…and Made a Banquet
Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky
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