In Parshas Chayei Sarah, we meet our matriarch, Rivka. The Torah tells us more about Rivka than about any of our other matriarchs. It tells us in detail, how she got engaged to Yitzchak, what her pregnancy was like, how she made sure that her good son, Yaakov, got Yitzchak’s blessings, and how she protected him. It tells us of many miracles that she was accustomed to and more.
Being that the Torah tells us so much about Rivka, we must conclude that there is much to be learned from her. Especially for Jewish mothers and girls and with regard to the nature and power of Jewish women.
What are the amazing qualities and miracles attributed to Rivka that are found in our parsha? What lessons are we meant to take from Rivka? What does Rivka teach us about the power of the Jewish woman?
According to Rashi, when we meet Rivka, she is three years old and quite mature for her age. She is a rose among thorns, as her family were idol worshippers, yet she remained pure and holy.
The first miracle that happened for her, was that when Avraham sent Eliezer to Aram Naharayim to seek out Rivka, the trip should have taken seventeen days, instead, Hashem shortened the way and he arrived the same day he left.
Why the need for this miracle? A rose has thorns to protect it while it blooms, but once it has already bloomed, it needs to be harvested and then the thorns become a hazard. The same is true about Rivka. That day she became three, when the education of a Jewish child begins. Until then, being among her family didn’t affect her negatively. However, now that she had reached the age of education, it was necessary to remove her from among the thorns.
The Torah tells us that Eliezer asked Hashem for a sign to know who was the right girl for Yitzchak. He would stand by the spring when the maidens would go out to draw water. He would ask one for a drink. Now, if she says, “Drink, and I will also give water to your camels,” Then he will know that he has the right girl.
Even before he finished talking to Hashem, his attention was drawn by Rivka, of whom the Torah tells us here, that she was very beautiful, coming with her pitcher to draw water.
Here we are told of a second miracle. Eliezer was watching and he noticed, that as Rivka approached the spring, the water level rose up, making it easier for her to fill her pitcher. This miracle is attributed to her purity, innocence, and righteousness.
Excitedly, he ran towards her and asked her for a drink. She responded, “Drink..., and I will also draw for your camels.”
He wondered if she was the right one. When she finished watering the camels, he asked her, “Whose daughter are you?” To his amazement, she was Avraham and Sarah’s great-niece and she invited him to stay at her parents’ home. This told him that hospitality was a part of her upbringing and she would fit right in.
When her family heard Eliezer recount these miraculous events, they readily agreed to the match. But Besuel, Rivka’s father had second thoughts and wanted to interfere and stop the engagement. Before he could do so, Hashem sent an angel, which killed him.
The next morning, Eliezer wanted to take his leave with Rivka. Her brother Lavan and her mother protested, as it is a tradition for girls to have a year to prepare themselves for the wedding, “Let the girl remain with us for a year...” However, Eliezer was adamant, he insisted on taking her with him immediately. When they saw that he wasn’t going to adhere to common custom, they began to question his whole story, which was the reason they readily agreed to the match without even asking her opinion. Initially, they felt that it was out of their power to refuse, being that Hashem’s hand was moving the events. But because of this new turn of events, they reneged on the original deal.
