The Office of Rabbi Sacks Laban the Aramean (Rabbi Sacks on Vayetse, Covenant & Conversation)
Dec 4, 2024
Delve into the rich narrative of Jacob's struggles with Laban, connecting his challenges to the broader themes of exile and divine intervention. Discover how the phrase 'Arami Oved Avi' from the Haggadah reflects these struggles, tying them to the Israelites' hardships in Egypt. The discussion emphasizes the power of ancestral stories in nurturing hope and resilience across generations.
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Haggadah's Laban Passage
- The Haggadah passage about Laban raises questions due to its interpretation of a verse and its relevance to Passover.
- The verse's original meaning likely had nothing to do with Passover but was reinterpreted by the sages.
Recontextualizing "Arami Oved Avi"
- The phrase "Arami Oved Avi", originally about first fruits, was recontextualized for Passover.
- This created a need to connect the patriarchs' nomadic life with the Exodus story.
Jacob's Exodus Experience
- The sages saw Jacob's time with Laban as a prefiguration of the Exodus.
- Jacob's experience, unlike Abraham's or Isaac's, involved a struggle for freedom and an escape.