375. "And Laban went to shear his sheep..." (Beresheet 31:19). Rabbi Yosi asked, What are the images? HE REPLIED, They pertain to idolatry. They were called Terafim in offensive language, after the place of the toref, A WOMAN'S PUDENDA. How do we know they pertained to idolatry? From the verses, "yet why have you stolen my Elohim?" (Ibid. 30), and "Anyone with whom you find your Elohim" (Ibid. 32). Laban was the greatest sorcerer in the world, and by means OF THE IMAGES he knew whatever he needed to know.

376. Rabbi Chiya said that the images were created through magic; Rabbi Yosi said that it was by means of divination. Rabbi Yehuda said, They are made only at certain times. They were called Terafim, because one must know when to shape them and when to wait, as it is written, "stay (Heb. heref) now your hand" (II Shmuel 24:16). BECAUSE ONE HAS TO RELAX ONE'S HAND AT CERTAIN HOURS, THEY ARE CALLED TERAFIM.

377. When the craftsman makes it, a man who knows the moments and hours, WHO KNOWS WHEN TO STRIKE AND WHEN TO STAY, stands by him, telling him when to act and when to rest. There is no other action that needs holding off AT A CERTAIN HOUR as that of THE IMAGES. The image constantly speaks and gives advice on how to harm a man's soul.

378. Rachel feared lest the images would give counsel on how to harm Jacob. She placed them under her to show disrespect to the idolatry, so that they would not be able to speak. For when one prepares them to talk he sweeps and cleans before them, to show them respect. But now it is written, "and she sat upon them" (Beresheet 31:34), BECAUSE SHE SHAMED THEM INTO NOT TALKING. THE IMAGES were male and female, and much prayer was needed to encourage them to speak. Because THE IMAGES WERE NOT IN HIS POSSESSION, Laban was held for three days, as he did not know Jacob had fled. As it is written, "And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled."

379. Rabbi Yehuda said that he prepared himself in two ways, by gathering together all the magic he had and all the weapons he had in order to destroy JACOB, as it is written, "An Arammian was going to destroy my father" (Devarim 26:5). When the Holy One, blessed be He, saw that he wanted to destroy Jacob, it is written, "Take heed that you speak not to Jacob either good or bad." This is because, "It is in the power of my hand to hurt you" (Beresheet 31:29). HE ASKS, What made him so sure of himself? HE ANSWERS, He trusted the magic means he had.

380. Come and behold, Laban covered in one day the same distance that Jacob needed seven days to walk. He did this to destroy JACOB, first because Jacob fled, and second, because of the images, WHICH WERE STOLEN FROM HIM. And although Rachel did this to wean her father from idolatry, she was punished in spite of her good intentions by not bringing up Benjamin or spending even a single hour in this world with him, due to her father's sorrow.

381. Rabbi Yitzchak said, All the reproof Jacob administered to Laban caused him to repent and acknowledge the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is written, "See, Elohim is witness between me and you" (Beresheet 31:50), THUS MENTIONING THE NAME OF ELOHIM. Yet come and behold. It is written, "The Elohim of Abraham, and the Elohim of Nahor judge between us," because he returned to his evil ways, saying "the Elohim of Abraham," WHO IS HOLY, and then mentioning "the Elohim of Nahor," WHO IS IDOLATROUS.

382. "And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Jacob." HE ASKS, Why did Isaac swear by the Fear of Isaac and not by the Elohim of Abraham?" HE ANSWERS, Because he did not want to lean heavily on the right, ABRAHAM, and draw it to Laban. HE THEREFORE DID NOT SWEAR BY THE ELOHIM OF ABRAHAM, THE SECRET OF THE RIGHT. Moreover, a man should not swear by a lofty place at all times meaning?, even though he is telling the truth.

383. Rabbi Yosi said, Assuredly, Jacob swore to further emphasize his oath, NAMELY, HE MEANT TO STRENGTHEN HIS OATH BY MENTIONING THE FEAR OF HIS FATHER ISAAC. This ought to be so. Jacob also studied it carefully, and said, Laban already mentioned the Elohim of Abraham, but not my father ISAAC. I shall complete it. Immediately, "Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac." Another explanation is that he meant to be included within Judgment, to be firm against Laban.