Sarah, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel. We identify them as central to the birth of the Israelites. From Torah teachings, we know to whom they were married and the children they bore. Indeed, they are known mostly through their marriages and male children—as written into history by thousands of years of male Jewish scholars. In recent decades Jewish feminists have reclaimed these stories, often reading between the lines in the creative traditional process of midrash (stories about the Torah stories.) What were their motivations, desires and gifts? What were their relationships that are not made obvious? What went on in their minds as they lived their lives in their patriarchal world? What were their less-known roles in the Torah that led to change, growth of community, formation of our values and ultimately the establishment of our civilization? Let's explore feminist midrash to deepen our understanding of our matriarchs and our resources for living well today.

Session 3 - Women’s Spirituality in the Third Generation of the Jewish Family

Like all human beings Rachel experienced joyful moments and also faced hard times, documented in glimpses from the Torah and in midrash created over hundreds of years. What gave her the resilience that we remember today? We will explore the mysterious reference in the Torah to the “idols” that she hid under her saddle. We’ll look at the struggle she engaged in to leave a mark on her world and discuss ambition, competition and spiritual growth. We’ll also look at the status of Leah, Bilhah and Zilpah, also wives of Jacob.

Assignment: CLASS THREE TEXTS and QUESTIONS

Extra references and further questions:

The Story of Rachel is in the Book of Genesis, including:

Genesis 30: 1 - 13 Bilhah and Zilpah become concubines of Jacob’s and mothers of his children -- Are they Matriarchs too?