Bilhah
Bilhah is a biblical character first introduced in Genesis 29:29 as Laban's maidservant, whom he gives to his daughter Rachel upon Rachel's marriage to Jacob. When Rachel cannot bear children, she gives Bilhah to Jacob so that Bilhah can bear children. Bilhah gives birth to two sons, Dan and Naftali.
Notable Sources
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Reuben's TransgressionTANAKH
Reuben's Transgression
TANAKH
The Book of Genesis reports the event of Reuben lying with Bilhah, his father's concubine. Following the recounting of this grave incident, the text restates that Jacob (Israel) has 12 sons, perhaps in order to highlight that Reuban continued to be counted amongst Jacob's descendants despite his transgression.
Reuben's ProtestMIDRASH
Reuben's Protest
MIDRASH
According to the 16th-century compilation, Ein Yaakov, Reuben did not actually commit the sin of lying with Bilhah. Rather, he ruffled his father's bed as a protest against the humiliation of his mother, Leah.
What Did Reuban Do To His Father's Bed?COMMENTARY
What Did Reuban Do To His Father's Bed?
COMMENTARY
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explores different interpretations of what Reuban did to his father's bed. Possibilities range from the severe transgression of literally sleeping with his father' concubine to merely changing his father's sleeping arrangement to protest his father's treatment of his mother Leah.
The Spiritual Transgression of ReuvenCOMMENTARY
The Spiritual Transgression of Reuven
COMMENTARY
Rabbeinu Bachya, a 13th-century Spanish commentator, argues that even if Reuben merely ruffled his father's bed rather than literally sleeping with his concubine Bilah, his actions still encompass a profound spiritual desecration. This passage explains that his actions dishonored both his father and the Divine Presence.
Public Reading Without TranslationTALMUD
Public Reading Without Translation
TALMUD
Traditionally, the incident of Reuben and Bilhah is read from the Torah in public but not translated, in order to prevent the uneducated from denigrating Reuben. The Talmudic tractate Megillah outlines guidelines for reading and translating certain Torah passages in public.
The Halakhic Status of Bilhah's IdentityMUSAR
The Halakhic Status of Bilhah's Identity
MUSAR
Bilhah and Zilpah, understood to be half-sisters of Rachel and Leah, raise intriguing halachic questions regarding their familial relationships and conversion status before the Torah was given. In his 17th-century work, Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz delves into these complexities and their implications.
The Consequences of Reuvan's ActionsMIDRASH
The Consequences of Reuvan's Actions
MIDRASH
Reuven's actions with Bilhah are debated among the sages, with some arguing he did not sin but instead, acted out of concern for his mother's honor. The Sifrei Devarim, a midrashic commentary on Deuteronomy, explores Reuven's moral standing and themes of consequences, merit, repentance, and justice.
Bilhah and Zilpah's Hidden Family TiesCOMMENTARY
Bilhah and Zilpah's Hidden Family Ties
COMMENTARY
Bilhah and Zilpah, the maidservants of Jacob's wives, are understood to be half-sisters to Leah and Rachel. Rashi, in his renowned 11th-century commentary on the Torah, provides the textual proof for the familial ties of these maidservants in his commentary on Genesis.
Joseph's Report on Bilhah's SonsSECOND TEMPLE
Joseph's Report on Bilhah's Sons
SECOND TEMPLE
The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, an ancient apocryphal text, contains the final speeches of the twelve sons of Jacob to their descendants. In this excerpt, Joseph reports to their father that some of his brothers, specifically the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, were slaying the best of the flock and eating them against the judgement of Reuben and Judah.
The Untold Story of BilhahMIDRASH
The Untold Story of Bilhah
MIDRASH
Louis Ginzberg's early 20th-century work, 'Legends of the Jews,' offers a rich tapestry of Jewish folklore and biblical stories, providing additional narrative details about biblical characters. This excerpt, told from the point of view of Bilhah's son Naphtali, goes into unique detail with regards to Bilhah's lineage and personal history, including her relationship with Rachel and the circumstances of her birth.
Rachel Offers Bilhah to JacobCOMMENTARY
Rachel Offers Bilhah to Jacob
COMMENTARY
Genesis Rabbah, a talmudic-era midrashic work on the book of Genesis, provides insights into the biblical story of Rachel and Jacob. This section expands on Rachel's decision to offer her maid Bilhah to Jacob as a surrogate, highlighting her proactive approach to overcoming infertility.
The Inclusive Family of YaakovCOMMENTARY
The Inclusive Family of Yaakov
COMMENTARY
The Tur HaArokh, a medieval Jewish legal code by Rabbi Jacob ben Asher, includes commentary on family dynamics in Genesis. This passage highlights Yaakov's acceptance of all his children, regardless of who their mothers are.
The True Status of BilhahMIDRASH
The True Status of Bilhah
MIDRASH
Bilhah, often referred to as a handmaid, was also Laban's daughter by a concubine. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, an eighth-century midrashic work, explains the complex family dynamics and structures of biblical times.
Jacob's View on Reuben's SinTARGUM
Jacob's View on Reuben's Sin
TARGUM
This section of the Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Torah, is written from the point of view of Jacob. He emphasizes the gravity of Reuben's transgression with Bilhah and the importance of teshuvah (repentance) and divine mercy.
Joseph and His Half-BrothersMIDRASH
Joseph and His Half-Brothers
MIDRASH
The Midrash Tanchuma, an early medieval collection of midrash, explores the complex familial dynamics and divine justice in the story of Joseph and his brothers. This passage asserts that Joseph's treatment of his half-brothers as equals, in contrast to his other brothers' treatment, led to his punishment of being sold into slavery.