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Genesis 31:12 - Divine justice against Lavan's deceit.

Genesis 31:12 - בראשית 31:12

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר שָׂא־נָא עֵינֶיךָ וּרְאֵה כָּל־הָעַתֻּדִים הָעֹלִים עַל־הַצֹּאן עֲקֻדִּים נְקֻדִּים וּבְרֻדִּים כִּי רָאִיתִי אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר לָבָן עֹשֶׂה לָּךְ׃

English Translation

And he said, Lift up now thy eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the flock are streaked, speckled, and grizzled: for I have seen all that Lavan does to thee.

Transliteration

Va'yomer sa-na einecha u're'e kol-ha'atudim ha'olim al-ha'tzon akudim nekudim u'verudim ki ra'iti et kol-asher Lavan ose lach.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר שָׂא־נָ֨א עֵינֶ֤יךָ וּרְאֵה֙ כׇּל־הָֽעַתֻּדִים֙ הָעֹלִ֣ים עַל־הַצֹּ֔אן עֲקֻדִּ֥ים נְקֻדִּ֖ים וּבְרֻדִּ֑ים כִּ֣י רָאִ֔יתִי אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָבָ֖ן עֹ֥שֶׂה לָּֽךְ׃
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר שָׂא־נָ֨א עֵינֶ֤יךָ וּרְאֵה֙ כׇּל־הָֽעַתֻּדִים֙ הָעֹלִ֣ים עַל־הַצֹּ֔אן עֲקֻדִּ֥ים נְקֻדִּ֖ים וּבְרֻדִּ֑ים כִּ֣י רָאִ֔יתִי אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָבָ֖ן עֹ֥שֶׂה לָּֽךְ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 31:12) appears in the narrative where Yaakov Avinu recounts a divine message he received in a dream. The verse describes how Hashem revealed to Yaakov that the streaked, speckled, and grizzled goats and rams were a sign of divine intervention in response to Lavan's deceitful behavior toward Yaakov.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the term "עֲקֻדִּים נְקֻדִּים וּבְרֻדִּים" refers to distinct markings on the animals:

  • עֲקֻדִּים (Akudim) – Animals with bands or stripes around their legs.
  • נְקֻדִּים (Nekudim) – Animals with small spots.
  • וּבְרֻדִּים (Berudim) – Animals with larger patches of color.

Rashi further notes that this was a miraculous occurrence, as Lavan had attempted to manipulate Yaakov's wages by removing all such animals from the flock. Hashem ensured that the offspring would bear these markings despite Lavan's schemes.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 2:48) discusses this episode as an example of divine providence (השגחה פרטית). He explains that Hashem intervened in the natural order to reward Yaakov for his righteousness and to counteract Lavan's dishonesty.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 73:10) elaborates that the markings on the animals symbolized the future struggles of Yaakov's descendants:

  • The streaked (Akudim) alluded to the bondage in Egypt.
  • The speckled (Nekudim) hinted at the plagues.
  • The grizzled (Berudim) foreshadowed the trials of exile.

This teaches that even in moments of hardship, Hashem's providence is evident, and justice prevails.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Chullin 137b) derives from this verse that animals with these markings were considered distinct in halachic terms, particularly regarding the laws of kilayim (forbidden mixtures in livestock). This reinforces the idea that these markings were not merely natural but carried divine significance.

Moral Lesson

The Sforno emphasizes that this episode demonstrates that Hashem protects those who are wronged and ensures justice, even when human efforts seem futile. Yaakov's trust in Hashem's promise was rewarded, serving as a lesson in bitachon (trust in divine providence).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of the streaked, speckled, and grizzled rams in Genesis 31:12?
A: According to Rashi (Genesis 31:10), this was a miraculous sign from Hashem showing Yaakov that despite Lavan's deception in changing his wages, Hashem ensured that the flocks would produce offspring matching the terms Yaakov had originally agreed upon with Lavan. The unusual markings showed divine intervention.
Q: Why did Hashem show Yaakov this vision of the rams?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 73:10) explains that Hashem was reassuring Yaakov that He saw Lavan's dishonest behavior and would protect Yaakov's rightful earnings. This vision gave Yaakov confidence that his difficult years of work would be rewarded fairly despite Lavan's trickery.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 31:12 about dealing with difficult people?
A: The verse teaches that even when others act deceitfully like Lavan did, Hashem sees everything and ensures justice. As Rambam writes in Hilchot De'ot (1:6), we should trust in Hashem's providence while acting with wisdom in our dealings, just as Yaakov did by following divine guidance in his business arrangements.