Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/273

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Jacob and Laban

with the thought that them, and to justify bitnself merited this treatment, Laban had first deceived him, and so "Deceit can be met and he was only protecting hmiself. But even today. It is a common adage only by deceit". it ,n truth The sole falsity. the story of Jacob proves its deceit by deceit is but too often countered

silence

is

that in practice

said, "One evil deed causes even as the wise rabbi of old can never make one right, another evil deed". Two wrongs and pave the way for furhut remain always two wrongs, ther evil and unhappiness. could abide with At last, after twenty years, when Jacob came, "Recommand God's sons no longer,

Laban and

his

and to thy kindred; and turn unto the land of thy fathers, answer to his prayer, the It was I will be with thee". word come six years the spoken twenty years before. Had of service, how years fourteen sooner, at the end of his first Even though it. of himself gladly would he have availed rich in a was he still he was then poor in worldly goods, loyal and faithful of clear conscience, in the satisfaction during And and children. service and in the love of wives ones at home and of dear the of thoughts years all those uppermost in his mind. reunion and reconciliation had been was rich and prosBut now it was difl^erent. Now he He must send for his wives perous. But was he truly happy? where no one might hear him to come to him to the field, order he must lie to them reveal his plans to them. And claim that he had served their to justify his conduct, and prospered only though father faithfully, and that he had own deceit. And he his through God's blessing, and not lest his father-in-law fear, in and

m

must

steal

away

stealthily

keep back his daughters prevent his departure, or at least send him away emptyand children and the flocks,

and

their

handed, as he had come twenty

And indeed a guilty conscience. happiness. true no be can there

His was years before. with a guilty conscience \n