Joseph Born and the Adversary of Esau Comes Into the World

"God has gathered up my disgrace" (Genesis 30:23). Before a woman gives birth, the blame for any mishap is hung upon her: Who ate this dish? Who broke this jug? But once she gives birth, the blame is hung upon her child: Who ate this dish? Her son. Who broke this jug? Her son. "God has gathered up my disgrace": in the matter of the concubine at Gibeah, "Cursed be the one who gives a wife to Benjamin" (Judges 21:18). "God has gathered up my disgrace": in the days of Jeroboam, "and Jeroboam recovered no more strength." "And she called his name Joseph, saying, May the LORD add to me another son" (Genesis 30:24). "Another" points to exile: the ten tribes were exiled to beyond the river Sambatyon, while the tribes of Judah and Benjamin are scattered through all the lands. "Another son" points to division: through the prayer of Rachel, the tribes of Judah and Benjamin did not divide off with the ten tribes. "Another" means one who does the deeds of others. "And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph" (Genesis 30:25): once the adversary of Esau was born. For Rabbi Samuel bar Nahmani said: A tradition of aggadah is in our hands that Esau will fall only by the hand of the sons of Rachel, as it is written, "surely the least of the flock shall drag them away" (Jeremiah 49:20). And why does he call them "the least of the flock"? Because they are the youngest of the tribes.