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Genesis 30:4 - Rachel's sacrifice for motherhood?

Genesis 30:4 - בראשית 30:4

Hebrew Text

וַתִּתֶּן־לוֹ אֶת־בִּלְהָה שִׁפְחָתָהּ לְאִשָּׁה וַיָּבֹא אֵלֶיהָ יַעֲקֹב׃

English Translation

And she gave him Bilha her handmaid to wife: and Ya῾aqov went in to her.

Transliteration

Vatiten-lo et-Bilhah shifhtah le'ishah vayavo eleiha Ya'akov.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתִּתֶּן־ל֛וֹ אֶת־בִּלְהָ֥ה שִׁפְחָתָ֖הּ לְאִשָּׁ֑ה וַיָּבֹ֥א אֵלֶ֖יהָ יַעֲקֹֽב׃
וַתִּתֶּן־ל֛וֹ אֶת־בִּלְהָ֥ה שִׁפְחָתָ֖הּ לְאִשָּׁ֑ה וַיָּבֹ֥א אֵלֶ֖יהָ יַעֲקֹֽב׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Bereishit (Genesis 30:4)

The verse describes Rachel giving her maidservant Bilha to Yaakov as a wife after she herself was initially barren. This follows the precedent set earlier by Sarah giving Hagar to Avraham (Bereishit 16:3). The Torah emphasizes that Yaakov "went in to her," indicating the formal establishment of the marital relationship.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) explains that Rachel gave Bilha to Yaakov with a formal kiddushin (betrothal), making the union halachically valid. He notes that the phrase "וַיָּבֹא אֵלֶיהָ" ("and he went in to her") demonstrates that Yaakov treated Bilha as a full wife, not merely a concubine. This is derived from the identical language used regarding Yaakov's other wives (Rashi on Bereishit 30:4).

Halachic Perspective from Rambam

Rambam (Maimonides) discusses in Hilchos Ishus (Laws of Marriage) that a maidservant given to a man by her mistress with proper intent constitutes a valid marriage. He cites this episode as a halachic precedent for cases where a woman facilitates a marriage for her husband with another woman (Rambam, Hilchos Ishus 1:6).

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Rabbah (Bereishit 71:7): Suggests Rachel acted out of deep spiritual motivation—to increase the number of tribes of Israel. Her selflessness is contrasted with Leah's later giving of Zilpa to Yaakov, which the Midrash implies had a more competitive dimension.
  • Targum Yonatan: Adds that Rachel gave Bilha with a formal marriage contract (ketubah), showing the complete legitimacy of the union in Jewish law.

Moral and Ethical Dimensions

The Malbim (Rabbi Meir Leibush ben Yechiel Michel) emphasizes that Rachel's act—though painful for her—was rooted in the mitzvah of procreation and building Klal Yisrael. He notes that the Torah's neutral narration neither praises nor condemns the practice of taking maidservants as wives, but presents it as an accepted custom of the era when primary wives were barren (Malbim on Bereishit 30:3-4).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 60a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the naming of children and the roles of Bilhah and Zilpah as concubines of Jacob.
📖 Megillah 14a
Mentioned in the context of discussing the status of Bilhah and Zilpah as wives versus handmaids, and their offspring's legitimacy.
📖 Sanhedrin 82b
Cited in a discussion about the laws of marriage and the status of children born from handmaids given to patriarchs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Rachel give her handmaid Bilha to Yaakov as a wife?
A: Rachel gave her handmaid Bilha to Yaakov as a wife because she was unable to have children at that time (Genesis 30:1-2). This was a common practice in biblical times when a wife was barren, allowing her handmaid to bear children on her behalf (see Rashi on Genesis 30:3). The children would then be considered as Rachel's.
Q: What is the significance of Yaakov having children with Bilha?
A: The children born to Bilha (Dan and Naftali) became two of the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 30:5-8). This shows how Hashem fulfilled His promise to Yaakov to make his descendants numerous, even through unconventional means (see Ramban on Genesis 30:3).
Q: Was it permitted for Yaakov to marry Bilha, who was a handmaid?
A: According to Jewish tradition, since Bilha was given to Yaakov by Rachel (his primary wife), this was considered a permitted form of marriage in that time (see Talmud Sanhedrin 21a). However, such practices are not followed today, as Torah law as given at Sinai later established different marital laws.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Rachel giving Bilha to Yaakov?
A: This teaches the great desire Rachel had to build the house of Israel, even at personal sacrifice (see Midrash Rabbah Genesis 71:7). It also demonstrates how the matriarchs were deeply involved in the formation of the Jewish people.
Q: How is this story relevant to Jewish identity today?
A: The children born from this union became full tribes of Israel, teaching that Jewish identity isn't solely about biology but also about being part of the covenant. The Talmud (Berachos 16a) discusses how these events shaped our understanding of Jewish lineage.