בראשית, פרק ל׳, פסוק י״ז

After a period of not having children, Leah conceives once more. This renewed blessing is not merely a response to a standard request, but an expression of divine appreciation for her pure intentions and extraordinary efforts to expand her family [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Some commentators note that Leah actively prayed to God for this child [אור החיים, מלבי"ם]. While people usually cry out to God for something they entirely lack, and Leah already had four sons, her intense drive to build the family made it as though she were praying for something completely missing from her life. Recognizing this deep desire, God fulfilled her wish [רש"י, מזרחי, שפתי חכמים, ביאור יש"ר].

God's response was also a result of Leah combining her prayers with concrete action. She paved the way for her prayer by bringing her maidservant into her home as an additional wife for her husband [ספורנו]. Her choices were not driven by a pursuit of physical pleasure, but by a sincere love for God and a pure intention to fulfill the commandment to raise offspring [אור החיים, העמק דבר]. The purity of her motives is clear from her previous willingness to give up her own marital time so her maidservant could marry her husband, proving her sole focus was on expanding the family rather than seeking personal enjoyment [יריעות שלמה]. Furthermore, instead of relying on natural remedies, Leah showed that she depended entirely on God [מלבי"ם].

In response to Leah's selfless devotion, God treated her measure for measure. Because she went beyond what was expected of her by offering her maidservant, God also went beyond His original plan for her. Although she was initially destined to have only four sons, her actions earned her a fifth, and later a sixth [אור החיים]. Through her righteousness and prayers, she ultimately became the mother of half the tribes of Israel [רד"ק].

This birth also highlights a shared blessing for both parents. Just as Leah was rewarded for giving her maidservant to her husband, Jacob was rewarded with these sons for marrying Zilpah, who had deeply desired him. This double reward for both Leah and Jacob is ultimately reflected in the child's name, Issachar, which hints at a dual compensation [העמק דבר].