The Jewish Matriarchs, also known as “imahot” (hebrew: אִמָּהוֹת), are the four foundational women of the Jewish people:
Their lives and actions are recorded in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, where they played a crucial role in shaping the nation of Israel, along with their husbands, the three patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Sarah, who was married to Abraham, was the first of the four mothers of the Jewish people. Rebecca was the wife of Sarah’s son, Isaac. And Leah and Rachel were both married to Rebecca’s son, Jacob.
What did the Matriarchs do?
Each of the Jewish Matriarchs had a profound impact on the formation and spiritual foundation of the Jewish people.
Sarah, through her faith and the miraculous birth of Isaac, ensured the continuation of Abraham's covenant with G‑d. After her son was born, she zealously oversaw his upbringing, including making the difficult decision (endorsed by G‑d) to send away her stepson, Ishmael.
Read: 13 Sarah Facts You Should Know
Rebecca, whose innate kindness made her the perfect match for Isaac, secured her husband’s birthright blessing for her son, Jacob.
Read: Rebecca and the Camel Test
Rachel, after enduring infertility, died giving birth to her second son. Thus, Rachel is personified as the quintessence of motherhood who would sacrifice herself for her children throughout the ages.
Read: 12 Facts Every Jew Should Know About Rachel
Leah, despite personal trials and not being loved by Jacob as much as her sister Rachel was, bore six of the 12 tribes of Israel, significantly shaping the nation.
What is the source for the four Matriarchs?
According to the Talmud, there are three Patriarchs and four Matriarchs.1 The number of the Patriarchs makes sense, because they are three men who are the ancestors of all segments of the Jewish People, unlike Jacob’s sons, the progenitors of 12 unique tribes.
But the Matriarchs are different. Both Rachel and Leah gave birth to just some of the 12 tribes, Leah being the mother of six and Rachel being the mother of two. There are four additional tribes who descend from Jacob’s concubines, Bilhah and Zilpah. So why are there four Matriarchs? Should there not be either two (Sarah and Rebecca) or six (Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Leah, Bilhah and Zilpah)?
The Talmud answers that the designation of Patriarch or Matriarch is not based (strictly) on ancestry but on prominence. It was these four great women who formed the spiritual base upon which our nation was built.
Read: Why aren't Bilhah and Zilpah counted as Jewish Matriarchs?
Where are the Matriarchs buried?
The Matriarchs and Patriarchs are buried in The Cave of Patriarchs in Hebron (Me’arat Hamachpelah), together with Adam and Eve. Rachel is the only one of the Matriarchs not buried alongside their respective husbands in the Cave of the Patriarchs, since she was buried on the road near Bethlehem.
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