The verse in question is Genesis 29:31: “The Lord saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, and Rachel was barren.” Seems straightforward, right? But Rabbi Binyamin links this to Psalm 69:34: “For the Lord hears the impoverished and does not despise His prisoners.” And that’s where things get interesting.

Rabbi Binyamin points out a problem. He says the beginning and end of Psalm 69:34 don't quite match up. It would make more sense if the verse just said, "For the Lord hears the impoverished and does not despise the prisoners," or "For the Lord hears His impoverished and His prisoners." So, what's going on?

He explains that "the impoverished" (dal, ani, and evyon in Hebrew) actually refers to Israel. Rabbi Yoḥanan, another sage, taught that whenever you see those terms used in the Bible, it's often a reference to the people of Israel. Think about it: Israel has often been in a state of hardship and need throughout its history.

Okay, so if the "impoverished" are Israel, who are the "prisoners"? According to Rabbi Binyamin, these are the barren women. He paints a poignant picture of them, confined to their homes, feeling forlorn and forgotten. They are, in a sense, prisoners of their own circumstances, longing for a child.

But here’s the glimmer of hope: “When the Holy One, blessed be He, remembers them with children, they stand erect.” It’s a powerful image, isn’t it? Of a woman, bowed down by sorrow and societal pressure, finally able to stand tall, filled with joy and purpose.

And this brings us back to Leah. The Torah tells us that she was "unloved." Imagine the pain of knowing your husband favored your sister. Leah, in her own way, was also a prisoner, trapped in a marriage where she felt unwanted.

But, as Genesis says, "The Lord saw that Leah was unloved… and He opened her womb." The Bereshit Rabbah uses this to illustrate the point: When God remembers, things change. Leah, the unloved one, becomes the mother of six sons and a daughter – including Judah, from whom the Davidic line, and ultimately, the Messiah, will descend.

So, what’s the takeaway? Maybe it’s this: Even when we feel forgotten, imprisoned by our circumstances, God sees us. As we find in Midrash Rabbah, God hears the cries of those who feel impoverished and alone. And just like with Leah, He has the power to turn sorrow into joy, and to help us stand tall once more.