By Rabbi Avraham Fischer, provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox Congregations for MyJewishLearning.com
Blaming Society
We should strive to emulate Abraham and Isaac rather than emulating Laban, who compartmentalized his values.
Jacob had been involved in an act of deception, and now he becomes the victim of deception. After seven years of working for his uncle Laban, he wishes to marry Rachel, Laban’s younger daughter.
“And it was in the morning, that behold it was Leah. And [Jacob] said to Laban “What is this you have done to me? Did I not work with you for Rachel? And why did you deceive me?” (Genesis 29:25)
Laban, the champion deceiver, tricked Jacob by switching Rachel with Leah.
Laban’s Excuses
Laban explains himself; after all, he is a recognized leader in the community. When he presents his excuses, he makes a not-so-veiled reference to Jacob’s own act of deception, in which he took the place of his older brother Esau in receiving their father Isaac’s blessing: “It is not done so in our place, to put the younger before the older. Complete this one’s [Leah’s] week [of celebration] . . .” (Genesis 29:26-27)
Continue reading.
Want to know more about Biblical Figures? Follow our board
page.
No comments:
Post a Comment