Rachel's Prayer
The Midrash recounts that at the time of the Destruction of the Temple, the Forefathers of the Jewish People arose to pray for their children. One by one, the spirits of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses presented their pleas to G-d.
Finally Rachel, the youngest of the four Mothers of Israel, arose and said:
"Master of the Universe! You know that my Jacob loved me exceedingly and worked for my father for seven years to win my hand in marriage. When the time came for our wedding, my father schemed to substitute my sister Leah in my stead. I informed Jacob of this, and arranged a secret way to identify myself so my father's plan would fail. And then I had a change of heart. I could not bear to see my sister sent out in disgrace, and I gave her all the identifying signs to enable her to to pass as me. I was not envious of her, and I did not allow her to be disgraced. If I, who am flesh and blood, was not jealous - whay should You, the eternally living and compassionate King, be jealous of the idols worshipped by the Jews?"
Immediately, Divine mercy was aroused, and G-d said, "Because of you, Rachel, I shall return Israel to their place!"
(Based on Midrash, introduction to Eichah)
Finally Rachel, the youngest of the four Mothers of Israel, arose and said:
"Master of the Universe! You know that my Jacob loved me exceedingly and worked for my father for seven years to win my hand in marriage. When the time came for our wedding, my father schemed to substitute my sister Leah in my stead. I informed Jacob of this, and arranged a secret way to identify myself so my father's plan would fail. And then I had a change of heart. I could not bear to see my sister sent out in disgrace, and I gave her all the identifying signs to enable her to to pass as me. I was not envious of her, and I did not allow her to be disgraced. If I, who am flesh and blood, was not jealous - whay should You, the eternally living and compassionate King, be jealous of the idols worshipped by the Jews?"
Immediately, Divine mercy was aroused, and G-d said, "Because of you, Rachel, I shall return Israel to their place!"
(Based on Midrash, introduction to Eichah)