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Genesis 46:19 - Rachel's legacy through sons

Genesis 46:19 - בראשית 46:19

Hebrew Text

בְּנֵי רָחֵל אֵשֶׁת יַעֲקֹב יוֹסֵף וּבִנְיָמִן׃

English Translation

The sons of Raĥel, Ya῾aqov’s wife; Yosef and Binyamin.

Transliteration

Bnei Rachel eshet Yaakov Yosef u'Viniamin.

Hebrew Leining Text

בְּנֵ֤י רָחֵל֙ אֵ֣שֶׁת יַעֲקֹ֔ב יוֹסֵ֖ף וּבִנְיָמִֽן׃
בְּנֵ֤י רָחֵל֙ אֵ֣שֶׁת יַעֲקֹ֔ב יוֹסֵ֖ף וּבִנְיָמִֽן׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Sons of Rachel

The verse states: "בְּנֵי רָחֵל אֵשֶׁת יַעֲקֹב יוֹסֵף וּבִנְיָמִן" ("The sons of Rachel, Yaakov’s wife: Yosef and Binyamin"). This verse enumerates Rachel’s two sons, emphasizing her unique status as Yaakov’s primary wife (Rashi on Bereishit 46:19). Rachel is referred to specifically as "Yaakov’s wife" to highlight her cherished position, as Yaakov had initially intended to marry only her (Bereishit Rabbah 70:15).

Yosef and Binyamin: Rachel’s Legacy

Rachel bore only two sons, yet they became foundational tribes of Israel:

  • Yosef – Though Rachel died during Binyamin’s birth (Bereishit 35:18), Yosef carried her legacy forward, becoming a leader in Egypt and the progenitor of two tribes (Efraim and Menashe). The Midrash Tanchuma (Vayechi 6) notes that Yosef’s righteousness reflected Rachel’s virtues.
  • Binyamin – Born after Rachel’s passing, his name ("son of the right hand") signifies strength and divine favor (Rashi on Bereishit 35:18). The tribe of Binyamin later hosted the Beit HaMikdash in its territory, symbolizing Rachel’s enduring influence (Zohar I, 158b).

Rachel’s Distinction Among the Imahot

Unlike Leah, who bore six sons, Rachel’s two sons held unique roles:

  • The Kli Yakar (Bereishit 46:19) explains that Rachel’s fewer sons were counterbalanced by their exceptional quality—Yosef’s leadership and Binyamin’s purity.
  • The Maharal (Gur Aryeh) adds that Rachel’s descendants were central to Jewish destiny: Yosef sustained the family during famine, and Binyamin’s tribe produced the first Jewish king (Shaul).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the Torah specify that Rachel was Yaakov's wife when listing her sons?
A: Rashi explains that the Torah emphasizes Rachel as Yaakov's wife to highlight her special status. Unlike the other mothers of the tribes (Bilhah and Zilpah), Rachel was Yaakov's primary intended wife from the beginning (based on Genesis 29:18). This shows the unique importance of Yosef and Binyamin among the tribes.
Q: Why are Yosef and Binyamin listed separately from the other tribes?
A: The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah) teaches that Yosef and Binyamin are listed separately because they were born from Rachel, Yaakov's most beloved wife. This separation also foreshadows how these tribes would have distinct roles later in Jewish history - with Yosef's descendants forming two tribes (Ephraim and Menashe) and Binyamin being the tribe from which the first Jewish king (Shaul) would come.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Rachel having only two sons compared to Leah's six?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 7b) teaches that Rachel's fewer children show that quantity isn't always most important. Though Leah had more sons, Rachel's descendants (especially Yosef) played central roles in Jewish history. This teaches us that spiritual quality matters more than numbers, and every person has a unique purpose.
Q: Why does the verse mention Yosef before Binyamin if Binyamin was younger?
A: Ramban explains that Yosef is mentioned first because he was already an important leader in Egypt at this time (Genesis 41:41). The Torah often lists names based on significance rather than age. This also reflects how Yosef's descendants would become numerous and influential among the tribes of Israel.
Q: How does this verse connect to Jewish identity today?
A: This verse establishes the lineage of two important tribes of Israel. Jewish tradition (as recorded in the Talmud and Midrash) teaches that all Jews today are spiritually connected to these ancestral tribes. The special mention of Rachel's sons reminds us of our shared heritage and the importance of family relationships in Jewish life.