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Elizabeth A.Sackler Center for Feminist Art

Rachel (Judith group)

Biblical, exact dates uncertain, ancient Israel

Rachel was the chosen and favorite wife of Jacob, over her sister Leah, his first wife. Unable to conceive for many years, she offered her handmaid to Jacob instead. The handmaid had two children by Jacob and when Leah saw that Rachel had made such an offering, she did the same. Jacob then had two more children by Leah’s handmaid. Later in life, Rachel bore two sons but died in childbirth.