Rachel’s “jealousy” and Yaakov’s anger

2. Rachel’s “jealousy” and Yaakov’s anger Rashi: Rachel was envious of Leah’s good deeds -if she was a better person she would have had children Ramban: Why does Yaakov get so angry -it’s not nice not to have sympathy with someone. Tzadikim pray for others… Midrash: Because he answered in anger (and not empathy) Hashem said , “Is this the way you speak to someone in pain?! Your children will “stand” (in respect) before her children Ramban concludes that Yaakov was angry because Rachel is acting like a spoiled favourite wife - “Stop everything and pray, fast, wear”sackcloth” until Hashem listens to you! Radak - Yaakov is angry because she thinks HE has the power and she does not ask that he pray to Hashem for her Akeydat Yitzchak - Hashem created woman for TWO purposes as reflected in the twon names for the first woman -CHAVA and ISHA. Chava - “Em kol chai” -she is biologically created to be a mother. But she is also “Isha” -just like a man created to make a contribution to the world -conquer and be creative. Yaakov was angry because Rachel thought that since she could not bear a child she was “worthless -she felt liky dying. Yakaov tells her no -you still have an important role!