1)

Why does the Torah list the children of Rachel in between those of the two maidservants (rather than together with those of Leah, or listing all of Yaakov's children according to age)?

1.

Ramban: Since the Torah is enumerating the 70 souls that went down to Egypt, it prefers to list the families according to size.

2)

Why does the Torah refer specifically to Rachel as "the wife of Yaakov"?

1.

Rashi #1 and Seforno: Because she was the mainstay of his house. 1

2.

Ramban: Having placed Rachel in between Bilhah and Zilpah, 2 it boosts her status by referring to her as Yaakov's wife.

1

Refer to 31:33:1:1. Likewise, she bore to Yaakov the elite of the tribes (see Seforno).

2

Refer to 46:19:1:1.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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