1)

What did Rachel mean when she stated that Hashem had judged her...?

1.

Rashi: She meant that Hashem had initially judged her and found her guilty (which is why He withheld children from her), 1 and had now judged her favorably and given her a son (via her maidservant).

2.

Seforno: She acknowledged Hashem's righteousness in withholding from her children, and thanked Him for giving her a son, 'a staff (support for her old age) and a shovel to bury her.' 2

3.

Targum Yonasan: He had now judged her mercifully, accepted her Tefilos and given her a son.


1

Ha'amek Davar: She understood that she spoke improperly to Yaakov ("give to me children" (30:1)). Not all editons have this text in Rashi; see 30:6:1.1:1*.

2

See Yevamos 65b.

2)

Why did Rachel and Leah refer to the children of Bilhah and Zilpah as sons, and not Avadim?

1.

Seforno, Targum Yonasan (to 30:4,9): Because they set their slaves Bilhah and Zilpah free when they offered them to Yaakov. 1


1

Even so, Bnei Leah called them slaves (refer to 37:2:7:1, from Bereishis Rabah 84:7)! (PF)

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

3)

Rashi writes: "'Hashem judged me' -...He judged me and exonerated me." Why does Rashi need to add this to the simple meaning, 'judgment'?

1.

Gur Aryeh: In this case of Dan's birth, there was no judgment (i.e. punishment), only merit. 1


1

This follows Maharal's text of Rashi. (Some editions of Rashi read, "He judged me, found me wanting, and [then] exonerated me.") Rashi is based on Midrash Raba (71, 7) "Danani- ... He judged me and found me wanting, i.e. 'and Rachel was barren' (29:31). [But now,] He judged me and exonerated me, i.e. 'He has given me [this] child.'"

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

KIH Logo
D.A.F. Home Page
Sponsorships & DonationsReaders' FeedbackMailing ListsTalmud ArchivesAsk the KollelDafyomi WeblinksDafyomi CalendarOther Yomi calendars