Leah

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"Mei-Hashem Yatza Ha-davar" Perceiving Providence
Rabbi Reuven Taragin
In the context of the story about Yaakov's escape from and return to Canaan, the Torah describes Yaakov's exile. This lesson highlights the links between the different stories in the interim. The links reveal the message of the entire story.
Rachel's Death and Burial
Rabbi Yaakov Medan
Where was Rachel buried? Why is she the one crying for her children, and why does God answer her prayers? The answers to these questions leads us on a fascinating journey that begins with the Yosef and Binyamin (from the birth of Binyamin and the selling of Yosef through the Concubine on Givah, the destruction of Shiloh, and the exile of the ten tribes), continues with the civil wars throughout the generations (from the selling of Yoself through the murder of Gedalia to the destruction of the Second Temple and the Bar Kokhva Revolt). Rachel's prayer for Binyamin in the merit of her selflessness for him, and her prayer for Yosef and for all of Israel in the merit of her ability to conquer her natural jealousy toward her sister - these prayers have stood by Israel throughout the generations.
The List of Those Descending to Egypt as an Introduction to Sefer Shemot
Prof. Jonathan Grossman
Sefer Shemot begins with a repetition of the list of those who descended to Egypt; However, there is an essential distinction between this list and the list in Parashat Vayigash. The difference demonstrates the new perception of Shemot, and the movement from family to nation.
A Blessing on Both Your Houses: Rachel and Leah
Dr. Yael Ziegler
Elimelekh's abandonment of his personal and national house and Ruth and Naomi's homelessness come full circle with Ruth entering Boaz's house. In the book of Judges the national house is threatened with collapse. Ruth is likened to Rachel and Leah who together symbolize unity. Her union with Boaz will establish David's kingdom, which will unify the Nation.
A Rabbinic Reading of Shaul: The Binyaminite Hero
Rabbi Francis Nataf | 58 minutes
An analysis of the composite picture that emerges from a tribal study of Binyamin as the background to the countertextual rabbinic preference for Shaul over David. Through this study, we come to a greater appreciation of rabbinic parshanut, both methodologically as well as regarding the hierarchy of religious values that account for the difference visions of leadership held by Binyamin and Yehudah.
Relationships Revealed - Rachel, Leah and the "Dudaim" Episode
Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein | 56 minutes
By examining the story of the "dudaim", we notice Yaakov's complex familial relationships: the parent-child relationships of Leah and her children, and the husband-wife relationship of Yaakov and Rachel. While Rachel and Leah may have thought that these relationships may be bartered and exchanged, the "dudaim" story teaches us that in fact this is not the case.
"And He Found Mandrakes in the Field"
Prof. Jonathan Grossman
Reviewing the continuum of the birth of Yaakov's sons, we note that it is interrupted twice. First, after the birth of Leah's first four sons, a difficult and emotional dialogue is recorded between Rachel and Yaakov. In the wake of this dialogue, Rachel gives her maidservant Bilha to Yaakov, and the Torah then continues its listing of the birth of the sons. The second interruption in the narrative occurs after the two maidservants have each borne two sons. At that point, we find the story of the mandrakes.

The need for the conversation between Yaakov and Rachel (the first interruption) to be recorded is clear: it has a tangible effect on the building of Yaakov's household, for as a result Yaakov takes Bilha, and later also Zilpa, both of whom merit to take part in the establishment of the House of Israel. In contrast, the story of the mandrakes (the second interruption) is rather surprising. We may assume that during the seven years over the course of which Yaakov's children were born, several other incidents took place, but the Torah makes no mention of them because the text is focusing here on the birth of the sons. What is the relevance of the story of the mandrakes in this context? In what way did it influence the establishment of Yaakov's family and the birth of the sons?

In order to solve this question, let us first analyze this section itself, and then try to identify its significance in the overall context of the story of Yaakov's family.
The Dudaim: Friendship Between Sisters
Rabbi David Silverberg
Understanding Leah's Accusation
Rabbi David Silverberg
Yehuda: Thanking God
Rabbi David Silverberg
Haran
Hevron
Yehudit, Yehuda and Leah
Rabbi David Silverberg
Do you Belittle that You Took My Husband? (Gen. 30:15) - Who Took Whose Husband?
Rabbi Gad Dishi
תאריך פרסום: תשעד | |
What was going on in the "sister switch" story, wherein Lavan gave Leah in marriage to Yaakov instead of Rachel? How was Yaakov,though savvy when it came to his brother and father, fooled by Lavan, and why did he not take action? Who participated in the marital switch? What is going on in the Yaakov-Leah relationship wherein Leah feels hated? We examine the tragic "dudaim' story within the rest of the narrative of Yaakov in Haran, and consider the possibility that Leah was completely unaware of Yaakov's original deal with Lavan. What is the Torah teaching us with this story?
Ki Teitzei: The Hated Wife
Rabbi David Fohrman |
In this video, we discuss the Torah's laws about a man with two wives, one who he loves, and one who he hates. Rabbi Fohrman suggests that this legal section of text is a hint to the story of Jacob and his wives. Watch the next video to learn more!

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VaYishlach: Where Was Rivka?
Rabbi Jay Kelman
Vayetze: How Could Yaakov Marry Two Sisters?
Rabbi David Silverberg | 40 minutes
According to the view forefathers kept the Torah, how could Yaakov marry two sisters? What is the meaning of the idea that the forefathers kept the Torah? Did the mitzvot only apply in the Land of Israel? Where they stringencies back then, or did they embody higher levels of consciousness? We explore different ideas about Rachel's marriage and death, and consider the concept of relinquishing stringencies if they come at the expense of another person.
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָבָן֙ לְיַעֲקֹ֔ב הֲכִי־אָחִ֣י אַ֔תָּה וַעֲבַדְתַּ֖נִי חִנָּ֑ם הַגִּ֥ידָה לִּ֖י מַה־מַּשְׂכֻּרְתֶּֽךָ׃
Genesis 29, verse 15
וַיַּ֤רְא יְהוָה֙ כִּֽי־שְׂנוּאָ֣ה לֵאָ֔ה וַיִּפְתַּ֖ח אֶת־רַחְמָ֑הּ וְרָחֵ֖ל עֲקָרָֽה׃
Genesis 29, verse 31
וַיִּשְׁמַ֗ע אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֤י בְנֵֽי־לָבָן֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לָקַ֣ח יַעֲקֹ֔ב אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְאָבִ֑ינוּ וּמֵאֲשֶׁ֣ר לְאָבִ֔ינוּ עָשָׂ֕ה אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַכָּבֹ֖ד הַזֶּֽה׃
Genesis 31, verse 1
וַיִּשָּׂ֨א יַעֲקֹ֜ב עֵינָ֗יו וַיַּרְא֙ וְהִנֵּ֣ה עֵשָׂ֣ו בָּ֔א וְעִמּ֕וֹ אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת אִ֑ישׁ וַיַּ֣חַץ אֶת־הַיְלָדִ֗ים עַל־לֵאָה֙ וְעַל־רָחֵ֔ל וְעַ֖ל שְׁתֵּ֥י הַשְּׁפָחֽוֹת׃
Genesis 33, verse 1