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Genesis 30:32 - Jacob's clever flock selection

Genesis 30:32 - בראשית 30:32

Hebrew Text

אֶעֱבֹר בְּכָל־צֹאנְךָ הַיּוֹם הָסֵר מִשָּׁם כָּל־שֶׂה נָקֹד וְטָלוּא וְכָל־שֶׂה־חוּם בַּכְּשָׂבִים וְטָלוּא וְנָקֹד בָּעִזִּים וְהָיָה שְׂכָרִי׃

English Translation

I will pass through all thy flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown ones among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.

Transliteration

E'evor b'khol-tzon'kha hayom haser misham kol-seh nakod v'talu v'khol-seh-chum bak'savim v'talu v'nakod ba'izim v'haya s'khari.

Hebrew Leining Text

אֶֽעֱבֹ֨ר בְּכׇל־צֹֽאנְךָ֜ הַיּ֗וֹם הָסֵ֨ר מִשָּׁ֜ם כׇּל־שֶׂ֣ה <b>׀</b> נָקֹ֣ד וְטָל֗וּא וְכׇל־שֶׂה־חוּם֙ בַּכְּשָׂבִ֔ים וְטָל֥וּא וְנָקֹ֖ד בָּעִזִּ֑ים וְהָיָ֖ה שְׂכָרִֽי׃
אֶֽעֱבֹ֨ר בְּכׇל־צֹֽאנְךָ֜ הַיּ֗וֹם הָסֵ֨ר מִשָּׁ֜ם כׇּל־שֶׂ֣ה ׀ נָקֹ֣ד וְטָל֗וּא וְכׇל־שֶׂה־חוּם֙ בַּכְּשָׂבִ֔ים וְטָל֥וּא וְנָקֹ֖ד בָּעִזִּ֑ים וְהָיָ֖ה שְׂכָרִֽי׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 30:32) appears in the narrative of Yaakov's agreement with Lavan regarding the division of their flocks. Yaakov proposes that he will separate all speckled, spotted, and brown animals from Lavan's flock, and these will serve as his wages for tending the herds. The arrangement reflects Yaakov's shrewdness and divine blessing, as later verses describe how the flocks miraculously produced offspring matching these patterns.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that Yaakov's proposal was intended to ensure fairness. By removing all currently speckled, spotted, and brown animals from the flock, any future offspring with these markings would clearly belong to Yaakov as his rightful compensation. Rashi emphasizes that Yaakov acted with integrity, ensuring no dispute could arise over ownership.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Sekhirut 7:4) discusses this passage in the context of labor agreements. He notes that Yaakov's arrangement demonstrates a permissible form of conditional wage agreement, where compensation is tied to specific outcomes (in this case, the appearance of certain animals). This serves as a halachic precedent for structured employment contracts.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 70:12) highlights that Yaakov's selection of these particular markings was divinely inspired, as these patterns would later multiply miraculously through divine intervention.
  • Some commentators suggest the speckled and spotted patterns allude to the diversity of the Jewish people, who would descend from Yaakov - unified yet with individual distinctions.

Symbolic Interpretations

The Kli Yakar offers a deeper reading, suggesting the different colored animals represent various spiritual concepts:

  • The speckled (נקוד) symbolize those who stand out through their mitzvah observance
  • The spotted (טלוא) represent those marked by Torah study
  • The brown (חום) sheep signify those whose service comes through simple faith

Halachic Implications

Talmudic discussions (Bava Metzia 93b) analyze this passage regarding the laws of hiring and wages. The sages derive that an employer must clearly define compensation terms, as Yaakov did by specifying exactly which animals would constitute his payment.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Metzia 93b
The verse is discussed in the context of labor agreements and wages, illustrating how Jacob and Laban negotiated Jacob's payment in speckled and spotted livestock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is happening in Genesis 30:32?
A: In Genesis 30:32, Yaakov (Jacob) is making an agreement with Lavan (Laban) about how he will be paid for his work. Yaakov suggests that he will take only the speckled, spotted, and brown animals from Lavan's flocks as his wages. This was part of their negotiation about Yaakov's compensation for tending Lavan's flocks.
Q: Why did Yaakov want the speckled and spotted animals?
A: According to Rashi and other commentaries, Yaakov chose the speckled and spotted animals because they were less common, making it clear which animals belonged to him versus Lavan. This was a way to ensure fairness and avoid disputes. Additionally, the Midrash suggests that Yaakov was guided by divine insight in making this choice.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yaakov's agreement with Lavan?
A: From Yaakov's agreement, we learn the importance of honesty and clear boundaries in business dealings. Yaakov ensured that his wages were transparent and fair, avoiding potential conflicts. The Talmud (Bava Metzia 83a) teaches that ethical conduct in financial matters is a fundamental Jewish value, and Yaakov's actions exemplify this principle.
Q: How does this verse relate to trusting in Hashem's providence?
A: This verse shows Yaakov's trust in Hashem's plan. Despite Lavan's history of deception, Yaakov relied on divine guidance (as seen later in Genesis 31:10-12) to ensure his success. The Rambam teaches that while we must make honest efforts in our livelihoods, we must also recognize that sustenance ultimately comes from Hashem.
Q: Why did Yaakov specify different colors for sheep and goats?
A: Rashi explains that Yaakov differentiated between sheep and goats because their natural colors varied. Sheep were usually white, so he took the rare brown ones, while goats were often black, so he took the speckled and spotted ones. This distinction ensured clarity in ownership and fairness in the agreement.