A Possible Origin of the Eleventh Day of the Eighth Month as the Date of Rachel's Death

Abstract

This article examines the possible origin of the traditional date of the matriarch Rachel's death, the eleventh day of eighth month. Noting that significant births are often associated with significant dates in the Jewish calendar, this article looks at the evidence provided in the book of Jubilees and the Temple Scroll from Qumran, Rachel's death is shown to be connected with a significant day, the day directly following the conclusion of the harvest period.