Genesis - Parashath VaYetze - Aliyah 5 to end.
ALIYAH 5 [30:28 - 31:16] - JACOB'S DEPARTURE FROM LAVAN.
Adin Steinsaltz on 30:42: 'Though he presumably could not explain it in terms of dominant genes, Jacob, an experienced shepherd from a young age ... would have known that even solid colored animals will frequently give birth to multicolored animals with or without the use of rods. His use of the rods, then, was merely symbolic, a kind of substitute for the animals removed by Laban. Although Laban might have thought that the rods themselves held Jacob's secret, the rods were not essential to Jacob's breeding a flock of multi-colored animals.' (Steinsaltz, p.166)
ALIYAH 6 [31:17-42] - JACOB LEAVES WITH HIS FAMILY.
The reason for Rachel's theft of her father's idols is never given. Steinsaltz (p. 170) says it was "possibly to cause her father ill fortune", but Prager (p. 369) thinks that "more likely, she stole them because she believed they would bring good fortune on the journey back to Jacob's homeland)".
ALIYAH 7 [31:43 - 32:3] - JACOB AND LAVAN PART WAYS.
Catching up to Jacob, Lavan protests that "the daughters are my daughters, and the children are my children, and all that you see is mine" (31:43). Prager: "This is the real reason Jacob left without saying goodbye: he knew that Laban would have tried to prevent not only Jacob's family from leaving but his livestock as well. ... And here is the proof: Laban viewed his daughters and grandchildren as his rightful possessions." (Prager, p. 377, notes on 31:42 - 43.) [256]
Adin Steinsaltz on 30:42: 'Though he presumably could not explain it in terms of dominant genes, Jacob, an experienced shepherd from a young age ... would have known that even solid colored animals will frequently give birth to multicolored animals with or without the use of rods. His use of the rods, then, was merely symbolic, a kind of substitute for the animals removed by Laban. Although Laban might have thought that the rods themselves held Jacob's secret, the rods were not essential to Jacob's breeding a flock of multi-colored animals.' (Steinsaltz, p.166)
ALIYAH 6 [31:17-42] - JACOB LEAVES WITH HIS FAMILY.
The reason for Rachel's theft of her father's idols is never given. Steinsaltz (p. 170) says it was "possibly to cause her father ill fortune", but Prager (p. 369) thinks that "more likely, she stole them because she believed they would bring good fortune on the journey back to Jacob's homeland)".
ALIYAH 7 [31:43 - 32:3] - JACOB AND LAVAN PART WAYS.
Catching up to Jacob, Lavan protests that "the daughters are my daughters, and the children are my children, and all that you see is mine" (31:43). Prager: "This is the real reason Jacob left without saying goodbye: he knew that Laban would have tried to prevent not only Jacob's family from leaving but his livestock as well. ... And here is the proof: Laban viewed his daughters and grandchildren as his rightful possessions." (Prager, p. 377, notes on 31:42 - 43.) [256]