“God remembered Rachel.” What remembrance did he remember for her? It was her silence for her sister, when they were giving him [Jacob] Leah. She knew, and she was silent.
“God remembered Rachel.” Thus it should be, as she introduced her rival wife into her house.6Since her desire for children was so great that she introduced a rival into her house, it could lead to God having mercy on her. Rav Huna and Rav Aḥa said in the name of Rabbi Simon: “Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin” (I Chronicles 2:2). By the merit of Dan, [Bilha’s son], Rachel was remembered; by the merit of Dan, Joseph and Benjamin were produced.
“He opened her womb” – Rabbi Tanḥuma said in the name of Rabbi Beivai: There are three keys in the hand of the Holy One Blessed be He: The key of burial, the key of rains, and the key of the womb. The key of burial, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “Behold, I am opening your graves, and I will take you up from your graves” (Ezekiel 37:12). The key of rains, from where is it derived?
“The Lord will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to provide the rain…” (Deuteronomy 28:12). The key to the womb, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “He opened her womb.” Some say, the key to sustenance, as well, as it is stated: “You open Your hand, [and satisfy the desire of every living thing]” (Psalms 145:16).