3rd of Nisan, 5770
Parashat Vayikra
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Torah Heroes - Rebecca Rebecca [Hebrew]
   
Rebecca at the well (cartoon)
Quick Facts
Father Bethuel
Mother Unknown
Brother Laban
Husband Isaac
Sons Esau & Jacob
 The Second Matriarch of the Jewish People. 
   

Rebecca was the daughter of Bethuel and the granddaughter of Nachor, Abraham's brother.

When Abraham wanted to find a wife for Isaac, he sent his servant to his hometown. The servant came to a spring and prayed to HaShem. He proposed a sign — the first woman to give water to both him and his camels would be the one who would be right for Isaac. Rebecca approached him and, when he asked for a drink, she ran to the spring and brought water for both him and his camels. The servant went with Rebecca to her house, where he received permission from her father and her brother, Laban, to take Rebecca to Canaan as a wife for Isaac.
Rebecca Family Tree
    

Isaac married her when he was 40 years old. She did not conceive for 20 years. Isaac prayed for her and she had twins. She had a hard pregnancy. She asked HaShem and he said that her boys would become two nations, and the older would serve the younger.

When Isaac was old he told Esau to hunt for him and make a meal for him and he would bless him. Rebecca heard this and told Jacob to pretend he was Esau in order to receive the blessing. Rebecca made the meal for Isaac, clothed Jacob in Esau’s clothes and covered his hands and neck with skins so he would feel as hairy as his brother. The plan worked and Jacob received the blessing from Isaac. When Esau realized what happened, he planned to kill his brother. Rebecca found out and advised Jacob to run to her brother Laban’s house in Haran until Esau got over his anger.

Rebecca is buried in the Cave of Machpelah. The Torah does not say how old she was when she passed away.