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Genesis 31:26 - Lavan accuses Yaakov's deception

Genesis 31:26 - בראשית 31:26

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר לָבָן לְיַעֲקֹב מֶה עָשִׂיתָ וַתִּגְנֹב אֶת־לְבָבִי וַתְּנַהֵג אֶת־בְּנֹתַי כִּשְׁבֻיוֹת חָרֶב׃

English Translation

And Lavan said to Ya῾aqov, What hast thou done, that thou hast cheated me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?

Transliteration

Vayomer Lavan le'Yaakov meh asita vatignov et-libbi vatnehag et-bnotai kishvuyot charev.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָבָן֙ לְיַעֲקֹ֔ב מֶ֣ה עָשִׂ֔יתָ וַתִּגְנֹ֖ב אֶת־לְבָבִ֑י וַתְּנַהֵג֙ אֶת־בְּנֹתַ֔י כִּשְׁבֻי֖וֹת חָֽרֶב׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָבָן֙ לְיַעֲקֹ֔ב מֶ֣ה עָשִׂ֔יתָ וַתִּגְנֹ֖ב אֶת־לְבָבִ֑י וַתְּנַהֵג֙ אֶת־בְּנֹתַ֔י כִּשְׁבֻי֖וֹת חָֽרֶב׃

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Parasha Commentary

Lavan's Accusation Against Yaakov

The verse (Bereishit 31:26) records Lavan's confrontation with Yaakov after discovering that Yaakov had left with his family and possessions without notice. Lavan accuses Yaakov of three things:

  • "What hast thou done?" – Rashi explains that Lavan is expressing shock at Yaakov's sudden departure, implying deceit (Rashi on Bereishit 31:26).
  • "Thou hast cheated me" (וַתִּגְנֹב אֶת־לְבָבִי) – The phrase "stole my heart" means Yaakov deceived him by leaving secretly. Ramban (Nachmanides) notes that Lavan felt betrayed because Yaakov did not allow him the opportunity to properly bid farewell to his daughters and grandchildren (Ramban on Bereishit 31:26).
  • "Carried away my daughters as captives taken with the sword" – Lavan exaggerates, comparing Yaakov's departure to a violent kidnapping. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 74:9) suggests Lavan was hypocritical, as he had previously treated his daughters poorly by exploiting Yaakov's labor.

Yaakov's Justified Departure

Yaakov's actions were not deceitful but necessary due to Lavan's untrustworthiness. The Talmud (Chullin 91b) notes that Yaakov left without notice because Hashem had commanded him to return to Eretz Yisrael (Bereishit 31:3). Additionally, the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 74:9) highlights that Lavan had repeatedly changed Yaakov's wages (Bereishit 31:7), justifying Yaakov's caution.

Lavan's Hypocrisy

Lavan's claim that Yaakov took his daughters "as captives" is ironic, as the daughters—Rachel and Leah—had willingly consented to leave, as seen in Bereishit 31:14-16. The Ohr HaChaim (Rav Chaim ibn Attar) explains that Lavan's words reveal his true nature: he viewed his daughters as property rather than as independent individuals (Ohr HaChaim on Bereishit 31:26).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 13b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the relationship between Lavan and Yaakov, illustrating Lavan's accusation against Yaakov for taking his daughters away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Lavan mean when he accuses Yaakov of 'stealing his heart'?
A: When Lavan says Yaakov 'stole his heart' (וַתִּגְנֹב אֶת־לְבָבִי), Rashi explains this means Yaakov deceived him by leaving secretly without letting him properly say goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren. The term refers to emotional deception rather than literal theft.
Q: Why does Lavan compare his daughters to war captives?
A: Lavan exaggerates by comparing his daughters to captives taken by sword (כִּשְׁבֻיוֹת חָרֶב) to portray Yaakov's departure as an act of violence. The Midrash notes this is hypocritical since Lavan himself had mistreated Yaakov for 20 years (Genesis Rabbah 74:9).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Lavan's accusation against Yaakov?
A: The Talmud (Megillah 13b) teaches that wicked people like Lavan often accuse others of the very wrongs they themselves commit. This teaches us to examine our own behavior before criticizing others.
Q: Why did Yaakov leave secretly without telling Lavan?
A: Rashi explains (on Genesis 31:20) that Yaakov left secretly because he knew Lavan would prevent him from leaving or try to delay him further. Hashem had commanded Yaakov to return to Canaan (Genesis 31:3), so this was justified.
Q: How does this confrontation between Yaakov and Lavan relate to Jewish history?
A: The Sages see Lavan as a prototype for Jewish enemies throughout history who accuse Jews falsely. The verse shows how even when Jews act properly (like Yaakov following God's command), they face unfair accusations from those like Lavan (Pesikta Rabbati 12).