Vayeitzei - Shlishi

A lot of kids born in this morning's aliyah. A few points that stick out:

1. The Torah tells us why Reuven's name is Reuven. Yet Rashi gives us another take, according to the Midrash, saying that the name is meant to extol REuven, comparing him favorable to Eisav, Yitzchak's firstborn. Why the need for another explanation?

2. Shimon gets no additional meaning from Rashi.

3. Levi gets tons of Rashi time.  It makes sense that we would want to look for as much meaning as we could from Levi. After all, he would end up playing a major role in Klal Yisrael, so it stands to reason that there would be clues early on.  But why is it necessary to have Gavriel take Levi to have him named? Why not just say that God named him Himself?

Also, we are informed that the presence of the Aron diminished Levi's numbers. Why? Superficially, the idea that God's presence brings more Middas Hadin with it seems the simplest explanation. But I thought that perhaps Rashi is alluding to the idea that more education usually translates to less children.  I know that doesn't sound like a very religious thought.  And it sounds insulting to families that have many children. But there is no doubting the tendency among lifeforms that the more brainpower, the less progeny.  צריך עיון.

4. What is the purpose of bringing in a handmaid to have a child?  The usual thinking is that she is a surrogate mother, delivering a baby to be raised by the barren woman. Rashi (from the Medrash) has another idea, that the jealousy created by the new woman creates a merit of sorts that leads to the barren woman having her own child!  Why would this "work"?

5. According to Rashi, Yaakov tells Rachel that he can't pray for her the same way his father prayed for his mother since his father had no other children, but Yaakov does!  At first glance, this seems callous. And truthfully, this heated exchange between Yaakov and Rachel is painful to read.  But I don't think Rashi would be highlighting a cruelty.  He is pointing out that he cannot muster the same depths of soul to pray for Rachel to have children since he already has his own.  So unlike Yitzchak, whose prayers were altruistic and selfish (in a good way), Yaakov's prayers for Rachel could only be altruistic.  It still seems harsh!

6. Rashi has no idea what the word "Naftali" means. He offers three explanations. "Intertwine", "Fight", "Pray". Might there be a common point behind all three meanings?  I think so...