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375) “When Laban went to shear his flock, Rachel stole the household idols that were her father’s.” The idols were idol worshipping. They were called Teraphim [household idols] in disgrace, as in “the house of Torpah [weakness].” They were idolatry because it is written, “Why have you stolen my gods?” It is also written, “With whomsoever you find your gods.” Laban was the sorcerer of all the sorcerers in the world. He knew all that he needed to know about the idols.
376) The idols were made by magic. They were made with spells. They were made at certain times and they were called Teraphim because at a certain time, they were beaten, and at another time they were let loose. Because of the need to let loose at certain times, they were called Teraphim [Marpeh means loosening up].
377) When the artisan makes it, meaning the one who knows the moments and times to act or to loosen the hands, he stands over it and says, “Now let go,” and “Now do.” And you will not find another action that requires letting the hands go at a specific time, other than the Teraphim. Also, he always speaks and gives bad advice to harm man’s soul.
378) Rachel feared that the Teraphim would give a harmful advice to Jacob. And because of the disgrace of idolatry, she placed them under her until they could not speak, since when they are set up to speak, they are beaten and swept, for the need to be honored. “And sat upon them,” meaning she disgraced them and they could not speak. The Teraphim were male and female, and they were worshiped by many worships until they began to speak. Because the Teraphim were gone, Laban was stopped for three days, since he did not know that Jacob had fled, as it is written, “And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled.”
379) He prepared himself with two things: he armed himself with all the magic that he had, and he armed himself with arms, to destroy Jacob from the world, as it is written, “A wandering Aramean was my father” [in Hebrew the phrase can also mean “The Aramean who destroyed my father”]. When the Creator saw that he wished to destroy Jacob, it is written, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad.” It is also written, “It is in my power to do you harm”; this is how he trusted the spells in his hand.
380) In a single day, Laban traversed what Jacob traversed in seven days, to uproot him from the world: 1) because he left him, and 2) for the Teraphim that were stolen from him. And even though it was Rachel who did it, to uproot her father from idolatry, she was still punished with not raising Benjamin and not being with him for even a single hour in the world, because of her father’s grief, although she meant for the best.
381) All the admonition that Jacob had with Laban made Laban repent and thank the Creator, as it is written, “See, God is witness between you and me,” that he mentioned the name “God.” It is written, “The God of Abraham and the god of Nahor … judge between us,” meaning that that wicked returned to his bad ways. When he said “The God of Abraham,” who is holy, he mentioned the god of Nahor again, who is idolatry.
382) “And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.” Why did he swear by the fear of Isaac and not by the God of Abraham? He did not want to be heavy on the right, Abraham, to extend it for Laban. This is why he did not swear by the God of Abraham, the right. One should not swear by the highest place, even though he swears in truth. He did not swear by the God of Abraham because he is Hesed, who is above the seven Sefirot HGT NHYM, and one should not swear by such a high place.
383) Jacob certainly swore in this way to keep it properly. He aimed for the fear of his father Isaac to strengthen his oath, for this is how it should be. Jacob regarded the matter and said, “But Laban had already said, ‘The God of Abraham,’ and left my father Isaac. I will complement everything.” Promptly, “And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.” Another meaning: it is to be included in the Din so as to stand before Laban.
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