Having said "Vatekash b'Lidtah", why does the Torah repeat "Vau'hi b'Hakshosah b'Lidtah"?
Oznayim la'Torah: It means when the pains became intense.
Why did the midwife tell Rachel not to be afraid?
Seforno: She attributed Rachel's labor-pains to her fear that was giving birth to a girl, who causes more pain than a boy, 1 so she reassured her that it was a boy and that she needn't worry. 2
Ohr ha'Chayim: An extra twin was born with Binyamin (refer to 35:17:2:2). Do not fear that this birth is more painful (than of Yosef; it is due to the extra fetus).
Malbim: Rachel's entire desire was for children - "v'Im Ayin Mesah Anochi" (30:1). Even though she was on the verge of death, her only worry was lest the baby is a Nefel (not viable) 3 , or will become a Nefel amidst the difficult labor. The midwife said "also this is a Ben", i.e. Ben Kayama (viable).
Ha'Emek Davar: If a woman dies during birth, [normally] the baby dies first. Sometimes, the woman dies first [according to one opinion in Bava Basra 142b]. Tosfos (Nidah 44a DH Ihu) says that the rule does not apply if the baby already started to leave. The midwife told her that the baby was still alive.
Nidah 31a; (I do not know that why Ohr ha'Chayim cites the Gemara to say that there is danger only during the birth of a girl, but not of a boy. - PF)
Oznayim la'Torah: And to assure Rachel that her prayer when Yosef was born "Yosef Li Hashem Ben Acher!' had been answered.
One of the Simanim of a Nefel is that the hair is not finished (Tosefta Shabbos 15:7). The midwife could know this once the head began to leave. However, how could she know that the labor will not cause the child to die? Why does the Malbim not explain "Ben" simply? Rachel wanted specifically another son! (PF)
Why did the midwife add the word "Gam"?
Rashi #1: She was telling her that, apart from Yosef, this too, was a boy.
Rashi #2 (citing the Midrash): A twin sister was born with each of the tribes 1 , and with Binyamin, two.
Seforno: Refer to 35:17:1:1.1.
Above (Bereishis 32:23), it says that Yakov took his 11 children. Chazal expounded that he hid Dinah. Perhaps this Midrash holds that he hid all his daughters. Or, he was concerned only for Dinah (perhaps she was very beautiful). Since the Torah named only her among Yakov's daughters, we infer that he hid her. (PF)
