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Genesis 29:22 - Deceptive wedding feast revealed

Genesis 29:22 - בראשית 29:22

Hebrew Text

וַיֶּאֱסֹף לָבָן אֶת־כָּל־אַנְשֵׁי הַמָּקוֹם וַיַּעַשׂ מִשְׁתֶּה׃

English Translation

And Lavan gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

Transliteration

Vaye'esof Lavan et-kol-anshei hamakom vaya'as mishteh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֶּאֱסֹ֥ף לָבָ֛ן אֶת־כׇּל־אַנְשֵׁ֥י הַמָּק֖וֹם וַיַּ֥עַשׂ מִשְׁתֶּֽה׃
וַיֶּאֱסֹ֥ף לָבָ֛ן אֶת־כׇּל־אַנְשֵׁ֥י הַמָּק֖וֹם וַיַּ֥עַשׂ מִשְׁתֶּֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Bereishit 29:22) describes Lavan's actions after Yaakov Avinu agreed to work for seven years in exchange for marrying Rachel. Lavan gathered the local men and held a feast, ostensibly to celebrate the marriage. However, traditional commentaries reveal deeper layers of meaning behind Lavan's actions.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi notes that Lavan gathered "all the men of the place" to serve as witnesses, ensuring that Yaakov could not later claim he was tricked into marrying Leah instead of Rachel. By making this a public event, Lavan sought to legitimize his deceit. Rashi further comments that the term "מִשְׁתֶּה" (feast) is used rather than "חתונה" (wedding) because Lavan's primary intent was not celebration but deception.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 70:19) states that Lavan invited the townspeople to create a false impression of generosity, masking his true manipulative nature.
  • Some Midrashim suggest that Lavan deliberately held the feast at night (as implied by the following verses) to obscure Leah's identity, making it easier to substitute her for Rachel.

Rambam's Perspective on Deception

While Rambam does not comment directly on this verse, his principles in Hilchot Mechirah (Laws of Sales) regarding deception and misrepresentation can be applied. Lavan's actions violate the Torah's prohibition against misleading others (Leviticus 25:14), demonstrating how even seemingly celebratory acts can be vehicles for wrongdoing.

Chassidic Interpretation

The Sefat Emet explains that Lavan's gathering of "all the men of the place" symbolizes how evil often seeks communal validation. By involving the entire community in his scheme, Lavan attempted to give his deception an air of legitimacy, teaching us to be wary of actions that seek excessive public approval.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Lavan gather all the men of the place and make a feast?
A: According to Rashi (Genesis 29:22), Lavan gathered the local men and made a feast to publicly celebrate the marriage of his daughter Rachel to Yaakov (Jacob). This was a customary way to formalize the wedding and ensure witnesses, preventing Yaakov from later denying the marriage.
Q: What can we learn from Lavan's actions in this verse?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 70:19) notes that Lavan's public feast highlights his deceptive nature—he pretended to honor Yaakov, but his true intention was to later switch Leah for Rachel (as seen in the next verses). This teaches us to be cautious of outward displays that may conceal dishonest motives.
Q: Why is this verse important in the story of Yaakov and Rachel?
A: This verse sets the stage for the pivotal moment when Lavan deceives Yaakov by substituting Leah for Rachel (Genesis 29:23-25). The feast was meant to appear legitimate, but it was part of Lavan's trickery. The Talmud (Megillah 13b) discusses how this event later influenced Jewish marriage customs to prevent such deception.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish wedding customs today?
A: Traditional Jewish weddings (based on Talmud Ketubot 12a) emphasize clear agreements and witnesses to avoid deception, unlike Lavan's feast, which was a guise for trickery. The verse reminds us of the importance of transparency and honesty in marital relationships.