“A nd he said ‘Am I instead of Hashem Who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?’” (Bereishis 30:2)
The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 71) says: Hashem said to Yaakov “That’s how you answer someone who’s distressed? By your life in the future your sons will bow down to her sons.”
Technically Yaakov’s answer was halachically correct. He wanted to teach Rochel emunah and bitachon — that everything’s dependent on the Will of Hashem.
If so why was Yaakov punished? (Rav Shach Meirosh Amunah)
“Rabbi Ganz is in the hospital ” announced Avi throwing his backpack on the floor. “He’s got pneumonia. He’s been coughing for weeks! He even had different boys read the Gemara for him ’cuz he kept on coughing!” Avi was enjoying being the center of attention.
