A Few Questions about Parshat Vayetze

 1. For me, there is a stark difference between Eliezer meeting Rivka and Yaakov meeting Rachel. When Eliezer first meets Rivka, the Torah notes Rivka's beauty; that is not the case upon Yaakov's initial encounter with Rachel. Only when it comes to attaining her as a wife does the verse state that she was beautiful, in comparison to Leah, "whose eyes were weak." Why is there a difference regarding the timing of the mention in the narrative about the beauty of Rivka as opposed to Rachel. 

2. Why is there no discourse mentioned in the text between Yaakov and Leah regarding the taking of Zilpah, as opposed to Bilha? Did Yaakov automatically agree to take Zilpah into his household, whereas for Bilha that was not the case?

3. Why is Yissachar called as such? Leah names his as such for Hashem rewarding her for giving Zilpah to Yaakov. What's so commendable about that act? And why didn't Leah name one of Zilpah's children that, as opposed to waiting for the fifth child of her own bearing? 

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 30, 2020 at 12:16 PM

    Here is my stab at answering your three questions:

    Regarding 1:
    As you said, there is a stark difference between Eliezer meeting Rivka and Yaakov meeting Rachel. Yet perhaps the point is that there is a stark difference between Eliezer and Yaakov, and between where each came from? Eliezer, is an important ba'al teshuva, the master of Isaac's house, but he is from a very bad background, a former Canaanite, whom Isaac rejects as a mechutan for his daughter. Perhaps when he goes to Charan he notices Rivka's looks, just ot of deeply ingrained habit.
    Jacob, by contrast, is the FFB "tent dweller," the son of Isaac, pillar of gevura, the man "raised up" as a burnt offering. He, like Abraham and Isaac before him, does not immediately notice looks. Rashi on "Hinei na yadati ki isha yefat mar'e at." (about Avraham only now noticing that Sara is attractive)

    Regarding 2:
    Perhaps Ya'akov wants everything to be perfect with Rachel, to have Rachel without any competition. But Rachel convinces him, "Tafasta meruba lo tafasta." You can't have all or nothing. Rely on the ritual of "teled al birkai" to at least have a universally recognized symbol of me having a kid.

    As far as Leah, Ya'akov doesn't care so much. He's not trying to have it all be perfect, to have it all be Leah. Aderaba. He's apathetic. So, when Zilpa is brought in, he shrugs his shoulders and says, "Whatever."

    Regarding 3:
    It *is* commendable. She stopped having kids, then she nullified herself for Jacob's benefit, allowing Zilpa to have a kid. She is rewarded for this with Yissachar. It's direct mida keneged mida.

    That's my take. What do you say?
    Take care,
    Rafi

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownNovember 30, 2020 at 12:18 PM

    By the way, even though I maybe came up with answers, the questions were excellent and really made me think.

    ReplyDelete

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