THE CHALLENGE OF LEAH
Leah is a timid girl with gentle eyes. At just eight years old, following her mother’s death during Raquel's birth, she is thrust into the role of caregiver for her newborn sister, forcing her to grow up quickly. With a callous father and an unsympathetic stepmother, her only ally is Zilpa, a fellow eight-year-old servant. Leah is not particularly attractive and endures the scorn of her half-brothers and stepmother. Filled with insecurities and lacking self-esteem, she immerses herself in cooking, eventually becoming an exceptional chef. When she meets the newcomer Jacob, she develops feelings for him, only to be heartbroken when she discovers he favors her younger sister, the stunning Rachel. Due to a scheme orchestrated by her father, with her sister’s agreement, Leah is pressured into marrying Jacob instead of Rachel. Realizing he has been deceived, Jacob grows resentful and begins to look down on Leah. Although she remains his wife, he also takes Rachel as his second wife, whom he truly loves. Leah strives to be a good wife, yet despite giving him several children, she continues to face Jacob's disdain. Longing for his affection, she grapples with feelings of rejection and eventually comes to the realization that she must change her life to reclaim her self-worth.
The elder daughter of Laban, the sister of Rachel, the first wife of Jacob. Mother of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. Leah is a shy, tender-eyed girl. At the age of eight, after the death of her mother in the birth of Rachel, she is forced to take responsibility for the ca... +See More
Laban’s younger daughter, Rebekah’s niece, sister to Leah, Jacob’s second wife. Mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Rachel is a beautiful girl and she knows it. Confident, she uses her charms to get everything she wants. Futile and spoiled, she does not care much about the feelings of others, not e... +See More
Jacob is the son of Isaac and Rebekah, the twin brother of Esau and the grandson of Abraham. Husband of Leah and Rachel, father of twelve sons and daughter with their two wives and their maidservants. Esau and Jacob are born, fulfilling the prophecy of God to Rebekah on the two nations that would be... +See More
Servant of Laban, Zilpah has been abused by her master’s sons since she was young. Forced to take care of the pigs, she ends up liking the animals. Zilpah is simple, scolding, but faithful and sincere as anyone and with a good heart. Her marks and wounds, she hides under a veil of lightness and la... +See More
Servant of Laban is given to Rachel when she marries Jacob. Bilah is a survivor and holds Rachel’s bad treatment, contenting herself with the comfort of a few thefts. Malicious and envious, she does not think twice about fulfilling her carnal desires when she becomes involved with one of the sons ... +See More
Wife of Laban. A rude woman, who seeks to survive in the way she has learned: caring for herself. Layla suffers from her husband’s violent behavior, but does not recriminate him, since he always provides everything at home. When Leah becomes orphaned, she cares little that her stepdaughter loses h... +See More
Father of Leah and Rachel, brother of Rebekah (mother of Jacob), husband of Adinah (with whom he had Leah and Rachel) and of Layla (with whom he had Eliab and Hananiah). A violent man who wants more money and inferiorizes the female figure. For Laban, what matters is profit and he is always doing di... +See More
The first son of Leah with Jacob, the son of Isaac. Reuben and his five brothers (Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun) made up half of the original tribes of Israel. As a boy, Reuben resents that his mother is overpowered by his aunt Rachel. He is the one who brings the mandrakes, plant used ... +See More
And the second son of Leah with Jacob. Leah said, “Because the LORD hath heard that I was despised, and he also gave me this one. And he called his name Simeon.” Simeon means “he heard it.” It seems that her cries of pain and anguish in the soul were finally heard by his God and, again, her ... +See More
The fourth son of Leah with Jacob. In the fourth, Leah said, “This time I will praise the Lord. Therefore he called his name Judah.” Judah means “exalted,” “glorified,” or “praised.” Only a person of assumed faith would give this name to his son. The name Judah for a time makes her ... +See More
Son of Bilhah, Rachel’s slave, Jacob’s concubine. Jacob before his death describes the son in Genesis 49:17 and compares it to a snake that bites the horse’s heels, and causes its rider to fall from behind. He inherited from his mother selfishness and a sense of survival.... +See More
Son of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid, Jacob’s concubine. Described by his father in Genesis 49:21 as a man of fair words. Like his maternal brother, Dan does what is necessary to survive, without major involvement with problems of others. It stays discreet and reserved.... +See More
The fifth son of Leah with Jacob. In the fifth son Leah said, “God has given me my reward… And he called his name Issachar.” Issachar means agreement, or contract, in reference to the agreement of Leah to cohabit with Jacob. Isaachar is always with his brother of next age: Zebulun. In the mids... +See More
Sixth son of Leah with Jacob. In the sixth Leah said, “God hath given me a good gift; this time my husband will live with me, because I have given him six children. And we called his name Zebulun.” The name Zebulun will remind Jacob that it is she, Leah, who has the right to his company as his w... +See More
Son of Rachel with Jacob. Described by his father before he died in Genesis 49: 22-26. A righteous man, who puts God first. For being very loved by his father, it generates continuous implications of his brothers. Sensitive and loving boy, he resents the treatment that his mother gives to the kindly... +See More
Daughter of Leah with Jacob. And finally, they had a daughter, and called her Dinah. Genesis 30: 14-21 The name Dinah means rather “judgment” and “those who judges.” As the seventh gestation of Leah with Jacob, the name Dinah may suggest the number of God or perfection which, judging by just... +See More
Son of Laban with Layla. Cruel and violent like his father. He despises Leah and abuses Zilpah, along with his brother Hananiah. The female figure for him has no value, only uses it to his advantage. Stingy and ambitious, Jacob envies and supports his father in his tricks to get his brother-in-law b... +See More
Son of Laban with Layla. As cruel and violent as his father and brother. Hananiah and Eliab despise Leah as a child and abuse Zilpah, who they consider a property, as well as a goat. Stingy and ambitious, Jacob envies and supports his father in his tricks to get his brother-in-law back.... +See More
Shepherd of the sheep, servant of Laban, in love with Rachel, who plays with the feelings of the boy. With the arrival of Jacob, Saul totally loses his hopes with Rachel and, over time, becomes friends with Jacob. He marries Dalila, with whom he lives a good marriage.... +See More
