רחל אמנו

Rachel our mother is the mother who weeps for her children, whose image became the symbol of mercy for the whole nation. Jacob loved her from the moment he saw her by the well, served seven years for her 'and they were in his eyes like a few days, in his love for her' (Genesis 29:20), and then was deceived and married Leah her sister first.

And here is her hidden greatness: tradition tells that Rachel, who knew her father was about to deceive and substitute Leah for her, gave her sister the signs she had arranged with Jacob, so that Leah would not be shamed. She gave up the love of her life for her sister's dignity. Such a sacrifice, in silence and without anyone knowing, is a peak of valor.

Rachel died young giving birth to Benjamin, and was buried on the road to Efrat, not in the Cave of the Patriarchs with the Avot. And according to the prophet, precisely there, on the wayside, she weeps for her children going into exile: 'Rachel weeping for her children,' and God answers her, 'restrain your voice from weeping... and the children shall return to their border' (Jeremiah 31). By the merit of her sacrifice, she is the advocate of Israel.

What do we learn from her? That the greatest sacrifice is made in silence, for the dignity of another. Rachel teaches that true mercy is built from an act of love that gives up itself, and that a mother's tears, poured out for her children, are what open the gate of redemption: 'and the children shall return to their border.'