In
today’s reading, we see several examples of childbearing, but the storyline most
hinging on the producing of children is the narrative involving Rachel, Leah,
and Jacob. One question I had throughout the reading is why Leah and Rachel use
children to compete for Jacob’s love rather than their own beauty, talent, or
other characteristics. However, I realized that Leah and Rachel use children to
compete for Jacob’s love because children are the means by which God carries
out his covenant.
God’s covenant with Abraham states that, as long as
Abraham circumcises every male member of his household, God will bless his
children and make them into a great nation. The only way for Abraham’s lineage
to continue is for women to bear him children. Jacob, as Abraham’s grandson,
would try to continue this tradition.
In light of the Jacob-Leah-Rachel narrative, it makes
sense that when God “saw that Leah was despised… He opened her womb, but [left]
Rachel was barren” (29:31). This shows that God was trying to even out Jacob’s
feelings for the women by allowing one to bear children. Jacob would see the
bearing of children as God reaffirming the covenant He made with his grandfather,
and would, in turn, love the woman who allowed that affirmation. Once Leah
gives birth, she says, “‘the Lord has seen my suffering, for now my husband
will love me’” (29: 32). Leah, too, believes that, even though Jacob says he
loves Rachel more, her ability to produce a child will outweigh that love.
Another interesting point is that women see God’s
covenant as reaffirmed even if they themselves are not the one who produces the
child. Rachel, who is barren, has Jacob impregnate her slave girl, but still
says, “‘God granted my cause, yes. He heard my voice and He gave me a son,’”
even though the child didn’t come from her own womb (30.6). This shows that the
women believe that God reaffirms his covenant with Abraham through them even if
they did not give birth to their husband’s children.
I also found it interesting Jacob's wives think bearing children is the most desirable trait, and I completely agree that they are fulfilling the covenant. Why God would make barren or fruitful Jacob's wives I would answer differently. On page 107, Robert Alter posits "Perhaps now [Abraham] has proved himself fully worth of [God's] promise" to multiply Abraham's seed after he almost slays his son. Possibly, though a stretch, God deems Rachel unworthy of passing on Jacob's seed because of her jealousy. Maybe God finally deems Rachel worthy after she lets Leah sleep with Jacob for some mandrakes? If not, why does God suddenly remember Rachel? Does she get over her jealousy eventually and become worthy?
ReplyDeleteThis interplay between heirs, the covenant, and Jacob's affection is very interesting. What I found the most interesting though is the manner in which the slavegirls are repeatedly presented. There are multiple instances in which a woman when married, is given a slavegirl to serve her. This occurs in both the cases of Leah and Rachel. These woman are slaves, they are property and like slaves in the states anything they create, even children, are not their own. Yet differently than slavery as was traditionally seen in the states the children of these individuals are taken and adopted as their mistresses own children.
ReplyDeleteEric, I think you bring up a good question asking about why god suddenly remembers Rachel. This also struck me as odd but I think it has to do with the part of the story about the mandrakes. Rachel wants the mandrakes and in return is willing to let her husband lie with Leah for the night. This marks this sort of change jealousy to sharing showing that at least Rachel is willing to compromise. We then see God remembers Rachel and she says, "God has taken away my shame" (30:23). This connects back with Emma's original post about childbearing and how childbearing of great importance— such importance that it is shameful to not conceive.
ReplyDeleteI find Morgan's point interesting that although they are not slaves, Rachel and Leah are both Jacob's property, just as they were Laban's. Because they are not their own, the women have lost their individuality, and have no way to grow or transcend as individuals. Their function now is purely to have children, and both women seem to accept this situation. By competing to bear Jacob's children, they can at least hope to gain some recognition or respect that they can not have otherwise.
ReplyDeleteThe role of women in this section is blatantly secondary. I think it further shows religions profound impact on the position of women. It is truly absurd to think that it is moral to own women and use them for their wombs. It seems very strange to me that a text that claims to be a guide to morality would advocate such inequality and sexism.
ReplyDelete