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Yael Paley
Yeshiva Shaarei Tzion
Piscataway, NJ

                                 A Path to Follow

     Sara, Rivka, Rachel, Leah. Do these names ring a bell? These are the Jewish
matriarchs. They were great women who have helped so many people. With their
outstanding traits and actions, they are a role model on how to live.
     The matriarchs were so special in many ways. Here are some examples. The cloud
that was always over Sara’s tent was the Shechinah of Hashem. The bread which she
baked every erev Shabbos stayed fresh until the next erev Shabbos. And the candles
she lit before Shabbos remained until right before the next Shabbos. These were all
great miracles. When Sara died these miracles ended, but when Rivka, her daughter in
law entered the tent, the miracles returned.
     Both Sara and Rivka were barren for a long time, but eventually their prayers for
children were answered. Sara was also a very modest person. She was actually
greater then Avraham, her husband, in prophecy. When Sara wanted Hagar, her maid,
and Yishmael, Hagar’s son out of her house, Avraham said no. Then Hashem came to
Avraham and told him that he should listen to Sara. When three malachim (angels of
Hashem) came, they appeared to be men. Therefore she stayed in her tent out of
modesty.
     Rachel and Leah, Rivka’s daughters in law had many exemplary traits. For
instance Rachel was supposed to marry Yaakov, but her father gave him Leah instead.
Yaakov had given Rachel signs so that he would know it was Rachel. If Leah her sister
would not have known the signs she would have been very embarrassed. So Rachel
shared them and saved Leah from embarrassment. Leah was a very pious person,
exemplified by the way she prayed and cried. Rachel was supposed to marry Yaakov,
but in the end Leah ended up marrying Yaakov first and having more of the shvatim
(twelve tribes) than any of Yaakov’s other wives.
     When Yaakov was going to meet with Eisav his brother he lined up his wives and
children. He put Rachel and Leah last because acharon achoron chaviv. This means
the last one is beloved.
     Now you might be thinking how this is applicable to Jewish women today. Women
can act following the matriarchs good traits, such as modesty and kindness. One
learns that prayer can be the guiding light of one’s life. They could really inspire so
many more people if only others saw how our matriarchs acted. When women light the
shabbos candles and bake challah, they can emulate the footsteps of the matriarchs.
     For anybody looking to become Jewish or religious and are finding it difficult, they
just need to look at the matriarchs for inspiration. If one is not sure how to dress, think
of the matriarchs’ modesty. Look for the matriarchs’ guidance by looking at the
mamarei chazal (words of the rabbis in medrash and Talmud) which show how they
dealt with different problems. And even if you are already religious, but you want to
work on yourself just remember our matriarchs and they will lead the way. Even though
they are not with us anymore, their traits and action continue to be a beacon of light.