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Genesis 30:3 - Surrogacy through Rachel's maid?

Genesis 30:3 - בראשית 30:3

Hebrew Text

וַתֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה אֲמָתִי בִלְהָה בֹּא אֵלֶיהָ וְתֵלֵד עַל־בִּרְכַּי וְאִבָּנֶה גַם־אָנֹכִי מִמֶּנָּה׃

English Translation

And she said, Behold my maid Bilha, go in to her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.

Transliteration

Vatomer hine amati vilha bo eleha veteled al-birkhai ve'ibane gam-anokhi mimenna

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּ֛ה אֲמָתִ֥י בִלְהָ֖ה בֹּ֣א אֵלֶ֑יהָ וְתֵלֵד֙ עַל־בִּרְכַּ֔י וְאִבָּנֶ֥ה גַם־אָנֹכִ֖י מִמֶּֽנָּה׃
וַתֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּ֛ה אֲמָתִ֥י בִלְהָ֖ה בֹּ֣א אֵלֶ֑יהָ וְתֵלֵד֙ עַל־בִּרְכַּ֔י וְאִבָּנֶ֥ה גַם־אָנֹכִ֖י מִמֶּֽנָּה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Parshat Vayetzei

The verse (Bereishit 30:3) records Rachel's plea to Yaakov to bear children through her maidservant Bilhah, following her inability to conceive. This mirrors the earlier actions of Sarah with Hagar (Bereishit 16:2) and reflects the cultural norms of the time regarding surrogate motherhood.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (ad loc.) explains Rachel's words "וְתֵלֵד עַל־בִּרְכַּי" ("she shall bear upon my knees") as follows: Rachel intended to hold the newborn on her lap during the birth, symbolizing that the child would be considered as her own. This act of legal adoption is derived from the phrase "עַל־בִּרְכַּי," which Rashi connects to the concept of formal acceptance.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Rabbah (Bereishit 71:7): The Midrash emphasizes Rachel's deep anguish over her barrenness, comparing her emotional state to that of a person in desperate need. Her willingness to use Bilhah demonstrates her intense desire to participate in building Yaakov's household.
  • Ibn Ezra: Notes that Rachel's statement "וְאִבָּנֶה גַם־אָנֹכִי מִמֶּנָּה" ("that I may also have children by her") reflects her belief that children born through Bilhah would be credited to her, reinforcing the legal and emotional bond.

Halachic Perspective

The Rambam (Hilchos Ishus 15:17) discusses the legal status of children born through a maidservant in such circumstances, clarifying that they are considered legitimate offspring of the husband and the primary wife (in this case, Rachel). This ruling aligns with the Torah's narrative, where Dan and Naftali—Bilhah's sons—are later counted among the tribes of Israel.

Rachel's Motivations

Rabbeinu Bachya (Bereishit 30:3) highlights Rachel's selflessness in ensuring Yaakov's lineage would continue, despite her personal suffering. Unlike Sarah, who acted before Yitzchak was born, Rachel's actions were driven by the urgency to contribute to the formation of Bnei Yisrael.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 60a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the concept of surrogate motherhood and the legitimacy of children born through such arrangements.
📖 Niddah 31b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the roles and relationships between wives and their maidservants in biblical narratives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Rachel give her maidservant Bilha to Yaakov (Jacob)?
A: Rachel was unable to have children at that time, so she followed the custom of giving her maidservant Bilha to Yaakov as a wife, similar to what Sarah did with Hagar. This was an accepted practice in biblical times to build a family when the primary wife was childless (Rashi on Genesis 30:3, based on Genesis 16:2).
Q: What does 'she shall bear upon my knees' mean in Genesis 30:3?
A: The phrase 'bear upon my knees' symbolizes that Rachel would raise Bilha's children as her own. Some commentaries explain that the child would literally be placed on Rachel's knees at birth as a sign of adoption (Rashi on Genesis 30:3, Ibn Ezra on Genesis 30:3).
Q: Was it permitted for Yaakov to marry Bilha?
A: Yes, according to Torah law at that time, it was permitted for a man to marry his wife's maidservant with her consent, as we see with Sarah and Hagar, and later with Rachel and Leah giving their maidservants to Yaakov (Rambam, Hilchos Ishus 1:6; Talmud, Sanhedrin 21a).
Q: How many children did Bilha have with Yaakov?
A: Bilha bore two sons with Yaakov: Dan and Naftali (Genesis 30:5-8). These sons became two of the twelve tribes of Israel, showing how important this union was in Jewish history.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Rachel giving Bilha to Yaakov?
A: This teaches us about the deep desire to build a family and participate in the continuation of the Jewish people. Rachel's actions, though difficult, show her commitment to having children who would become part of the tribes of Israel (Midrash Rabbah Genesis 71:7).