The barren woman who became happy – Tazria
Parashat Tazria begins with the woman who conceives and bears a child.
It recalls Psalm 113, in which verse 9 ostensibly refers to the akeret ha-bayit, the “barren woman”, who becomes em ha-banim s’mechah, “the happy mother of children”.
Why does the verse not say “unhappy” before the phrase akeret ha-bayit?
Possibly akeret ha-bayit is not a barren woman at all; akeret could be connected with ikkar, which means “main thing”. In that sense, the main thing in a house is the em ha-banim, the mother who has a child or children.
Despite the moments of strain and worry, she feels not only happy but specially blessed by God.
