Who was the Mother of Israel?
We Jews are called the Children of Israel because we descend from Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel after he wrestled with an angel. In parsha Toldot we learn about Jacob’s parents, Isaac and Rebecca. Rebecca merited to be the Mother of Israel because she passed a test created by Abraham’s servant Eliezer.
Abraham had sent Eliezer to his homeland to find a wife for his son Isaac. Eliezer prayed for success in this mission, and asked God to send a young woman worthy of joining Abraham’s holy household. When Eliezer arrived in Abraham’s homeland, he made his camels kneel to rest.
Then he said I will approach a young woman and ask her for a drink of water. If she gives me water AND offers to draw water for my camels too, that will be the sign that she is the one. No sooner had he articulated this test, than Rebecca appeared and passed it with flying colors.
What’s striking about this incident is that the camels were kneeling and at rest when Rebecca arrived. It was not at all obvious that they needed watering, but even at a young age and raised among people of questionable morals like her brother Lavan, Rebecca was actively looking for a way to help others.
A practical example of this is that most of us will give charity when a needy person asks, but how often do we walk over to the needy, and give before we’re asked?
May we learn from Rebecca, the Mother of Israel, to seek out that opportunity!
Image: “Rebecca at the Well” by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, 1839
🤗 Get the best of Accidental Talmudist in your inbox: sign up for our weekly newsletter.
📱NEW! Accidental Talmudist App now available for Apple and Android!