Laban's idols

[Sojourner]

I've been watching a series of made-for-TV Bible movies from the 90's called The Bible Collection (recommended by the way), and was reminded while watching "Jacob," that Rachel stole her father's idols when she and Jacob went back to his people. When Laban discovered his idols missing, he and a band of his men pursued Jacob, certain he had stolen them. Laban searched Jacob's camp unsuccessfully, unaware Rachel had hidden the idols under a saddle she was sitting on in her tent--feigning menstruation as a reason not to get up as Laban searched the tent. The  Bible does not reveal Rachel's motives for taking the idols, and we are left to speculate. What's your opinion?

[Fenris]

One Jewish commentator says that she wanted to prevent her father from worshipping idols.

Another says that Laban used the idols for sorcerous purposes, and she wanted to prevent him from locating Jacob and his family, as the following verse says "And Jacob concealed from Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was fleeing."

Verse 32 contains eerie foreshadowing. "The one with whom you find your gods shall not live..." For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them. For Rachel does die early.

While we're in the chapter, verse 43 makes Laban out to be the prototypical antisemite. Jacob toiled for him for 22 years, 7 for Leah, 7 for Rachel, and another 8 to earn what to leave with. In the process he made Laban very wealthy. And yet what does Laban have to say to him? "The daughters are my daughters, and the sons are my sons, and the animals are my animals, and all that you see is mine!" The creates the pattern of Jews migrating to country, and enriching it financially, socially, culturally, and in other ways. Yet when the country expels them (England, France, Spain for example) "All that you see is mine" and Jews are forced to flee with just the clothes on their backs.

[RabbiKnife]

This passage also gives rise to the ridiculous practice of the “mizpah” coin worn by so many stupid Christian couples.

The oath between Jacob and Laban wasn’t exactly a “I’ll miss you so much sniff sniff” moment

[Sojourner]

One Jewish commentator says that she wanted to prevent her father from worshipping idols.

Another says that Laban used the idols for sorcerous purposes, and she wanted to prevent him from locating Jacob and his family, as the following verse says "And Jacob concealed from Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was fleeing."

Yeah, either explanation is plausible.

Verse 32 contains eerie foreshadowing. "The one with whom you find your gods shall not live..." For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them. For Rachel does die early.

I thought about that, too. She died within a few years, shortly after having her second child.

While we're in the chapter, verse 43 makes Laban out to be the prototypical antisemite. Jacob toiled for him for 22 years, 7 for Leah, 7 for Rachel, and another 8 to earn what to leave with. In the process he made Laban very wealthy. And yet what does Laban have to say to him? "The daughters are my daughters, and the sons are my sons, and the animals are my animals, and all that you see is mine!" The creates the pattern of Jews migrating to country, and enriching it financially, socially, culturally, and in other ways. Yet when the country expels them (England, France, Spain for example) "All that you see is mine" and Jews are forced to flee with just the clothes on their backs.

Yes, that is a tragic pattern in Jewish history.

[Fenris]

This passage also gives rise to the ridiculous practice of the “mizpah” coin worn by so many stupid Christian couples.

I have never heard of this prior to reading this post.

It's not a thing in Judaism as far as I am aware.

[RabbiKnife]

Talk about abusing context

Oy vey!!!

It was a huuuuuggge deal at the Christian bible college I attended as an undergrad…

I just laughed and laughed everytime I same some stupid girl with a necklace or a guy with the other half on a keychain.

“Hey!  I don’t trust you, you lying sack of crap!  God strike you down if you cheat on me!”

😂😂😂😂😂