Upon My Knees
When Rachel could not have children, she gave Bilhah to Yaakov, and the sons Bilhah bore became Rachel's answer to years of prayer.
Year after year Rachel watched her sister Leah give birth while she herself remained childless. At last she turned to Yaakov in anguish: give me children, or I am as good as dead. Yaakov answered that he was not in the place of God, Who had withheld children from her. The Midrash relates that Hashem was displeased with that answer, for this is not how one speaks to someone in pain.
Rachel did not give up. Your grandfather Avraham, she said, davened for Sarah. Yaakov answered that Sarah had done something more: she brought another wife into her own home. Then, said Rachel, here is my maid Bilhah. Let her bear upon my knees, so that I too may be built up through her. Onkelos explains that Bilhah would give birth and Rachel would raise the children as her own. Targum Yonasan relates that Rachel first set Bilhah free, and only then gave her to Yaakov as a wife.
Bilhah bore a son, and Rachel named him Dan, for God had judged her. The Midrash explains that at first He judged her and found her wanting, and now He judged her again and found her worthy. Bilhah bore a second son, and Rachel named him Naftali, for she had wrestled in prayer until she prevailed. Rashi explains that she had pleaded again and again, and Onkelos says simply that her prayer was accepted. Two of the tribes of Israel were born, and Rachel's longing found its first answer through the maid who stood beside her.
Source: Bereishis 30:1–8; Midrash Bereishis Rabbah 71:7–8; Rashi on Bereishis 30:3, 30:6, 30:8; Targum Onkelos on Bereishis 30:3, 30:8; Targum Yonasan on Bereishis 30:4. English: The Sefaria Midrash Rabbah (2022); Pentateuch with Rashi's Commentary (Rosenbaum and Silbermann, 1929–1934); Metsudah Chumash with Onkelos (2009); The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel (Etheridge, London 1862).
Rachel's prayer was answered in part through someone who stood beside her. When you are waiting for a yeshuah, you do not have to carry it all alone. This week, choose one person you trust, a friend, a parent or your Rav, and tell them plainly what you are davening for. Ask them to say one kapitel of Tehillim for you. Then offer to do the same for them, so that each of you is built up through the other.