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Genesis 30:18 - Reward for selfless sacrifice?

Genesis 30:18 - בראשית 30:18

Hebrew Text

וַתֹּאמֶר לֵאָה נָתַן אֱלֹהִים שְׂכָרִי אֲשֶׁר־נָתַתִּי שִׁפְחָתִי לְאִישִׁי וַתִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ יִשָּׂשכָר׃

English Translation

And Le᾽a said, God has given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Yissakhar.

Transliteration

Vatomer leah natan elohim schari asher-natati shiphchati leishi vatikra shemo yisachar.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתֹּ֣אמֶר לֵאָ֗ה נָתַ֤ן אֱלֹהִים֙ שְׂכָרִ֔י אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תִּי שִׁפְחָתִ֖י לְאִישִׁ֑י וַתִּקְרָ֥א שְׁמ֖וֹ יִשָּׂשכָֽר׃
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר לֵאָ֗ה נָתַ֤ן אֱלֹהִים֙ שְׂכָרִ֔י אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תִּי שִׁפְחָתִ֖י לְאִישִׁ֑י וַתִּקְרָ֥א שְׁמ֖וֹ יִשָּׂשכָֽר׃

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Parasha Commentary

Leah's Gratitude and the Naming of Yissakhar

The verse (Bereishit 30:18) records Leah's declaration upon the birth of her son Yissakhar: "God has given me my hire (שכרי), because I have given my maiden to my husband." This reflects Leah's recognition of divine reward for her actions.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that Leah felt she was being compensated for giving her maidservant Zilpah to Yaakov as a wife (when she could no longer bear children herself). The name Yissakhar (יששכר) contains the word "שכר" (reward), alluding to this concept of divine repayment.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 72:5) elaborates that Leah was rewarded not just for giving Zilpah, but for her overall righteous behavior and modesty.
  • Some commentaries note that the double "ש" in Yissakhar's name (יששכר instead of expected ישכר) hints at a double reward - both material and spiritual.

Philosophical Dimension

The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 9:1) discusses how divine reward often comes in unexpected ways. Leah anticipated more children as reward, but received Yissakhar who would father a tribe known for Torah scholarship (as per Divrei Hayamim 1 12:32).

Onomastic Significance

The Malbim notes that the name Yissakhar reflects the Jewish concept of "שכר ועונש" (divine reward and punishment), teaching that God meticulously rewards even difficult personal sacrifices made for proper family relationships.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 7b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about divine reward and human actions, illustrating how Leah perceived her reward from God for giving her maidservant to Jacob.
📖 Megillah 14a
The verse is mentioned in the context of discussing the names of the tribes of Israel and their significance, particularly focusing on the name Issachar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leah mean when she says 'God has given me my hire' in Genesis 30:18?
A: Leah is expressing gratitude to Hashem for granting her another son, Yissakhar, as a reward ('hire') for giving her maidservant Zilpah to Yaakov as a wife (as mentioned in Genesis 30:9). Rashi explains that Leah viewed this as divine compensation for her selfless act.
Q: Why did Leah name her son Yissakhar?
A: The name Yissakhar (יששכר) comes from the words 's'char' (שכר - reward) and 'nesi' (נשיא - to give), meaning 'there is reward.' Leah named him this because she saw his birth as a reward from Hashem for giving her maidservant to Yaakov. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 72:5) also connects the name to future blessings, as the tribe of Yissakhar would produce great Torah scholars.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Leah's statement in Genesis 30:18?
A: Leah teaches us the importance of recognizing Hashem's hand in our lives and expressing gratitude for His blessings. Even in difficult family dynamics, she acknowledged that her child was a divine gift. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 3:3) emphasizes that recognizing Hashem's kindness leads to greater humility and appreciation.
Q: How does the birth of Yissakhar relate to Jewish tradition today?
A: Yissakhar's tribe later became known for Torah scholarship (see Divrei Hayamim I 12:33). This connects to the Jewish value of Torah study, showing that even seemingly personal family events (like Leah's naming) carry eternal significance. The Talmud (Berachot 17a) praises those who support Torah scholars, just as Yissakhar's descendants did.
Q: Why does the Torah mention Leah giving her maidservant to Yaakov in this verse?
A: The Torah highlights this to show Leah's selflessness and the cause-and-effect relationship in divine reward. Though initially Rachel and Leah's maidservants were given to Yaakov due to the sisters' rivalry (Genesis 30:3-9), here Leah reflects with maturity on how Hashem rewarded her good intentions. The Sforno notes that Leah's later children came through direct divine intervention.