However, many commentators say that he simply prayed for her. The question is, why was he praying for her and not for himself? Wasn’t he also concerned with the lack of children? Reb Asher Zelig, a Hungarian victim of the Holocaust writes that Isaac prayed in her merit. In order for a prayer to be answered, one needs merit. Isaac depended on her merit, a woman who was able to become so righteous even though she grew up in the house of the wicked. The Talmud states that if a person has the humility to lean not on their own merit but on the merit of others then G-d graciously grants the wish in the merit of that individual himself. Although Isaac prayed in her merit, ultimately, it was his merit personally and his merit for his modesty regarding his own standing which caused G-d to answer his prayers, over hers.

Reb Asher Zelig also suggests that Isaac prayed not for himself but for Rebecca since he had gained such total acceptance and composure. As the Chassidic master known as the Baal Yitav Lev once said to his son the Baal Kedushas Yom Tov, who had no children for many years, "Our purpose in life is to make G-d happy. If you are suffering, then that must be G-d’s will." Isaac had accepted his lot. He would not pray for himself, but he turned to G-d and said, "But please, G-d, do this for Rebecca. She needs it more than I do."