Jacob's Love for Rachel and Rachel's Jealousy of Her Sister

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayeshev 19:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

[Another interpretation (of Genesis 39:1): "And Joseph was brought down to Egypt."] This is what Scripture says (Song of Songs 8:6): "For love is fierce as death." This is the love with which Jacob loved Rachel, as it is said (Genesis 29:18): "And Jacob loved Rachel." "Jealousy is hard as Sheol" (Song of Songs, there) — for Rachel was jealous of her sister. And what shall love do beside jealousy?

Themes

JealousyLoveMatriarchsEnvyPatriarchs

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, VayeshevJacob's Love for Joseph and the Brothers' JealousyThe verse sings, "For love is as strong as death, jealousy as harsh as Sheol." Hold those two words together, the sages teach, and you are standing in the houseMidrash AggadahThe Coveted Garments Esau Took From NimrodWhen Rebekah dressed Jacob in Esau's "desirable garments," our sages asked: what made these clothes so precious that the verse calls them desirable? Some say thMidrash Tanchuma Buber, VayeshevJonathan's Love and Saul's Jealousy in Song of SongsHear how a single verse holds two opposite hearts. When Scripture sings, "For love is as strong as death," it speaks of Jonathan and David, for the soul of JonaLegends of the JewsSarah Dressed Isaac in Her Finest Garments and Wept All NightThat feeling, that universal human experience, echoes powerfully in the story of Sarah and Isaac's parting. Sarah, having spent the entire night weeping for IsaBen SiraJealousy and Desire in Ancient Jewish WisdomBen Sira turns to Jealousy and Desire in Ancient Jewish Wisdom. "Do not be jealous of the wife of your soul, lest she trample upon your sanctuary." Now, this isBen SiraBen Sira on Envy and Wasting Your Own PortionIt has some pretty strong words for those of us prone to envy. "In the eye of a fool," Ben Sira tells us, "his portion is small; but he that taketh his neighbou