Faith

How old was Rachel when she married Jacob?

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Question

Hi... is it true that our father Jacob married Rachel when she was 3 years old? 

Thank you very much

Answer

Shalom u-vracha,

Rachel was twenty-two years old when she married our father Jacob.

It is true that Rebecca was three years old when she married our father Isaac, as brought in Seder Olam (chapter 1). This is also stated by Rashi (Genesis, chapter 25, verse 20).

However, Tosafot in tractate Yevamot (folio 61b, s.v. ve-ken) cited Rabbi Shmuel Hasid of Speyer, who proved that Rebecca was 14 years old when she married Isaac.

With blessings,

Hillel Meirs


Tags:RachelJacobJewish history

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