Rachael the Jewish Matriarch

Rachel's Tomb, near Bethlehem

Rachel (Hebrew: רחל), as described in the Hebrew Bible, is a prophet and the favorite wife of Jacob, one of the three Biblical Patriarchs, and mother of Joseph and Benjamin. She was the daughter of Laban and the younger sister of Leah, Jacob’s first wife. Jacob was her first cousin, and she was the youngest niece of Rebecca.

The Figure of Rachel, Our Matriarch

Our matriarch, Rachel’s day of passing is the 11th of Cheshvan, which has been established as Jewish Mother’s Day Rachel is the spiritual matriarch of the Jewish People who are scattered throughout the world. Rachel personifies the cry for the spiritual and physical return of all Jews. Rachel is she who refuses to be comforted until the ingathering of her children is realized (see Jeremiah 31:14).

Rachel Our Mother in Bible Codes by Rabbi Glazerson

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The Death of Mother Rachel in Bible Codes by Rabbi Glazerson

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Following is a deeper understanding of the symbolism connected with Rachel Imenu, Rachel our matriarch.For the Jewish People, our matriarch Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife, personifies the innate power of the soul and its conscious devotion to arouse God’s mercy to redeem His children from exile and bring them to the promised land. This she does with tears and heartfelt prayer[..].

When visiting ‘Mamma’ is dangerous

“Thus said the L-rd: A voice was heard in Ramah, crying and bitter weeping. Rachel was weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted…for they are gone…… Thus said the L-rd: Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work shall be rewarded….and they shall come back again. .. there is hope for your future and your children shall return to their border. “ Jeremiah, 31, 14-16

One day last winter I met one of my 8th generation Jerusalemite relatives on the street. (These old Jerusalemite families are an independent, feisty, wonderful breed unto themselves.)

“I’m going to Mommeh Rochel,” he said in Yiddish. “To whom?” I asked. bewildered, knowing that his mother’s name was Channah, not Rachel. “To Mommeh Rochel,” he repeated.

In one of those mini-second flashes which surge through the brain, I realized that Mommeh Rochel was none other than Rachel Immeinu — Rachel the Matriarch, mother of all Jews everywhere. Of course. Who else could Mommeh Rochel be?[..]

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