Filipinit Louisa: And even going into the Army, you know, I’m preparing her, all ready, for this. I tell her, "Hazel, this is part of your obligation to the State, who’s been more than kind to us." If you will ask my daughter who she is, she will say, "Mama, I’m a Sabra. I’m an Israeli, Mama."
Chavarah: Rashi cites Genesis Rabbah 71:9, which states that Lavan tricked Jacob into thinking Zilpah, the younger servant, was Rachel. Was Lavan a sneaky politician or what!
Chavarah: Ramban doesn’t understand why Leah offered Zilpah. After all, Leah was not barren as were Rachel and Sarah. He concludes [citing Midrash Rabbah 72:6 and Rashi on 29:34] that the matriarchs were all prophetesses who know that Jacob was destined to father twelve sons that would eventually become 12 tribes. Leah wanted a majority of those twelve to be from her or Zilpah, thus making her a preeminent matriarch.
