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Genesis 30:15 - Sibling rivalry over blessings?

Genesis 30:15 - בראשית 30:15

Hebrew Text

וַתֹּאמֶר לָהּ הַמְעַט קַחְתֵּךְ אֶת־אִישִׁי וְלָקַחַת גַּם אֶת־דּוּדָאֵי בְּנִי וַתֹּאמֶר רָחֵל לָכֵן יִשְׁכַּב עִמָּךְ הַלַּיְלָה תַּחַת דּוּדָאֵי בְנֵךְ׃

English Translation

And she said to her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldst thou take away my son’s mandrakes also? And Raĥel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee tonight for thy son’s mandrakes.

Transliteration

Vatomer lah hama'at kachtech et-ishi velakachat gam et-duda'i bni vatomer rachel lachen yishkav imach halayla tachat duda'i venech.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתֹּ֣אמֶר לָ֗הּ הַמְעַט֙ קַחְתֵּ֣ךְ אֶת־אִישִׁ֔י וְלָקַ֕חַת גַּ֥ם אֶת־דּוּדָאֵ֖י בְּנִ֑י וַתֹּ֣אמֶר רָחֵ֗ל לָכֵן֙ יִשְׁכַּ֤ב עִמָּךְ֙ הַלַּ֔יְלָה תַּ֖חַת דּוּדָאֵ֥י בְנֵֽךְ׃
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר לָ֗הּ הַמְעַט֙ קַחְתֵּ֣ךְ אֶת־אִישִׁ֔י וְלָקַ֕חַת גַּ֥ם אֶת־דּוּדָאֵ֖י בְּנִ֑י וַתֹּ֣אמֶר רָחֵ֗ל לָכֵן֙ יִשְׁכַּ֤ב עִמָּךְ֙ הַלַּ֔יְלָה תַּ֖חַת דּוּדָאֵ֥י בְנֵֽךְ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 30:15) describes a dispute between Rachel and Leah over the dudaim (mandrakes) that Reuven, Leah's son, had found in the field. Rachel requests the dudaim from Leah, leading to a sharp exchange between the sisters.

Leah's Response

Leah's rebuke—"Is it a small matter that you have taken my husband?"—reflects her frustration over Yaakov's greater affection for Rachel (Rashi on Bereshit 30:15). The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 72:3) explains that Leah felt Rachel had already "taken" Yaakov's love, and now she was also demanding the dudaim, which Leah believed could help her conceive more children.

Rachel's Bargain

Rachel's response—"Therefore, he shall lie with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes"—demonstrates her desperation for fertility. The Talmud (Chullin 60b) notes that Rachel was willing to forego her night with Yaakov, believing the dudaim might help her bear children. Rashi explains that Rachel reasoned, "Better that my sister should merit children than I should have these mandrakes."

Significance of the Dudaim

  • Fertility Symbolism: The dudaim were believed to aid conception (Ramban on Bereshit 30:14). Their exchange highlights the tension between the sisters over childbearing.
  • Spiritual vs. Natural Means: The Midrash (Tanchuma Vayeitzei 12) contrasts Rachel’s reliance on natural remedies (the dudaim) with Leah’s trust in prayer, as Leah later conceived through divine intervention (Bereshit 30:17).

Moral Lessons

The exchange teaches about the complexities of sibling rivalry and the dangers of jealousy, even among righteous figures. The Talmud (Megillah 13b) notes that Rachel’s selflessness in allowing Leah time with Yaakov was later rewarded when her descendant, Esther, acted selflessly for the Jewish people.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 92a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the significance of the mandrakes and the interactions between Rachel and Leah.
📖 Berakhot 60a
The verse is mentioned in the context of discussing the merits and actions of the matriarchs, particularly Rachel and Leah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the 'dudaim' (mandrakes) mentioned in Genesis 30:15?
A: The 'dudaim' (often translated as mandrakes) were fragrant plants that were believed in ancient times to help with fertility. Rashi explains that they were called 'dudaim' because people would boil them and drink the water to increase love ('dodim' means 'love' in Hebrew). Leah's son Reuven found them, and Rachel desired them, leading to the exchange described in the verse.
Q: Why did Rachel trade a night with Yaakov for the dudaim?
A: Rachel, who was struggling with infertility, believed the dudaim could help her conceive. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 72:3) explains that Rachel was willing to give up her time with Yaakov because she desperately wanted children. This exchange highlights the deep pain of her childlessness and her hope that the dudaim would help.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the exchange between Rachel and Leah in this verse?
A: This episode teaches about the complexities of human relationships, especially between sisters who shared a husband. The Talmud (Megillah 13b) notes that Rachel's selflessness in allowing Leah to be with Yaakov ultimately led to her own merit—she was later buried in a place of honor (on the road to Bethlehem). It also reminds us of the pain of infertility and the lengths people may go to in their desire for children.
Q: Did the dudaim actually help Rachel conceive?
A: No, the dudaim did not immediately help Rachel conceive. Later in the parsha (Genesis 30:22), we see that Hashem remembered Rachel and opened her womb. The Ramban explains that this shows that fertility comes from Hashem, not from natural remedies. The dudaim were part of Rachel's efforts, but ultimately, it was divine intervention that allowed her to have children.