THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Do you notice how profoundly she expresses the anguish of her heart through these words? Is it not sufficient, she laments, that you have taken my spouse? Will you also seize the invigorating herbs of my son? ‘Rachel said, “So let him lie down with thee this night, for thy son's mandrakes.”’ She implores, Give me the mandrakes, and let my husband spend the night with you. Can you see how Jacob’s devotion to Rachel is unwavering? Despite Leah bearing him many children, his affections remain with Rachel. If it were otherwise, how could Leah bear the presence of her sister? Assertively, she offers her husband for the herbs and declares, ‘Let him lie with thee this night, for the mandrakes.’ She desires that her request regarding the mandrakes be fulfilled, allowing her husband to be taken.