Genesis:  
   The Book of Beginnings  

"Vayetsei"
Genesis chs.28 to 32

AND HE WENT OUT

VaYatzai

To Hear a Talk based on the Text below:
VaYatseh: Jacob and his Wives and Children
Genesis chapters 28:10 to 32 (ca. 1 hour 26 minutes)


This weeks portion is called VaYatzai (and he went out) after the verb WENT OUT in the first verse.
 
A major theme of the portion concerns Jacob and his wife.
The Midrash on the Portion brings some interesting comments concerning how the meeting together of a man ahd his wife and of a woman and her husband.

Two Midrashim about Matchmaking

(1)
Midrash Braeshit Raba (VaYatsei): 68.1.3:

## Rabbi Abahu began,
HOUSES AND RICHES ARE AN INHERITANCE FROM FATHERS, BUT A PRUDENT WIFE IS FROM THE LORD (Proverbs 19:14).
Rabbi Pinchas quoting from Rabbi Abahu said:
"We find in the Torah, Prophets, and Writings [Tanach] that a man's wife only comes from God.
In the Torah it says, THEN LABAN AND BETHUEL ANSWERED AND SAID, 'THE THING COMES FROM THE LORD (Genesis 24:50).
In the Prophets it says, BUT HIS FATHER AND MOTHER DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS OF THE LORD (Judges 14:4).
And from the Writings, A PRUDENT WIFE IS FROM THE LORD (Proverbs 19:14).
It happens that the man goes to his future wife or that his future wife comes to him.
The Match of Isaac came to him, HE LIFTED HIS EYES AND LOOKED, AND THERE, THE CAMELS WERE COMING (Genesis 24:62).
Jacob went to his match, NOW JACOB WENT OUT (Genesis 28:10).


(2)
Midrash Braeshit Raba (VaYatsei): 68.1.4:

## Rabbi Yehudah Bar Sim began, GOD SETTS THE SOLITARY IN FAMILIES [Psalms 68:6].
A Matrona [ i.e. important woman of the Roman Aristocracy] asked Rabbi Yossi Bar Chalafta,
"How many days did God take to create the world?"
"Six days", he answered, "as it says, FOR IN SIX DAYS THE LORD MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH [Exodus 20:11]."
She replied: "And what has he been doing since?"
He answered: "HE sits and brings couples together, the daughter of so-and-so to so-and-so, the wife of so-and-so to so-and-so,
the money of so-and-so to so-and-so."
She said: "That is his practice? I can do the same."
He said: "If it is easy in your eyes it is as difficult for the Almighty as the Cleaving of the Red Sea".
Rabbi Chalafta left.
What did the Matrona do?
She took a thousand male slaves and a thousand serving-maids, lined them up in rows, and announced, So-and-so will marry so-and-so, and so-and-so will be married to so-and-so, etc.
She coupled them together in one night.
The next day they came to her. This one had his brains poking out of his head [injured], that one lacked an eye, another a broken leg.
She asked them: "What happened to you?"
The female said, "I do not want him".
The male said, "I do not want her".
She immediately sent and called Rabbi Yossi Bar Chalafta to her.
"There is not God like your God. HE is true and HIS Torah is pleasant and praiseworthy. You spoke well", she said.
"So I told you, if it is easy in your eyes it is as difficult for HIM as the Cleaving of the Red Sea".



The Midrash continues and relates that even though the Almighty brings couples together this is not necessarily what they would want.



s.1
[Genesis 28:10] AND JACOB WENT OUT FROM BEERSHEBA, AND WENT TOWARD HARAN.                     
 
[Genesis 28:11] AND HE LIGHTED UPON A CERTAIN PLACE, AND TARRIED THERE ALL NIGHT, BECAUSE THE SUN WAS SET; AND HE TOOK OF THE STONES OF THAT PLACE, AND PUT THEM FOR HIS PILLOWS, AND LAY DOWN IN THAT PLACE TO SLEEP.                     
 
[Genesis 28:12] AND HE DREAMED, AND BEHOLD A LADDER SET UP ON THE EARTH, AND THE TOP OF IT REACHED TO HEAVEN: AND BEHOLD THE ANGELS OF GOD ASCENDING AND DESCENDING ON IT.

A lot of explanations have been given as to what the angels going up and down represent. One explanation is that since each nation has its own representative (cf. Daniel, Zechariah) guardian angel then the angels represent the ups and downs of the kingdoms of the earth.

[Genesis 28:13] AND, BEHOLD, THE LORD STOOD ABOVE IT, AND SAID, I AM THE LORD GOD OF ABRAHAM THY FATHER, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC: THE LAND WHEREON THOU LIEST, TO THEE WILL I GIVE IT, AND TO THY SEED;                     
 
[Genesis 28:14] AND THY SEED SHALL BE AS THE DUST OF THE EARTH, AND THOU SHALT SPREAD ABROAD TO THE WEST, AND TO THE EAST, AND TO THE NORTH, AND TO THE SOUTH: AND IN THEE AND IN THY SEED SHALL ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED.

All the families in the earth were to be blessed in the seed of Jacob. This was a repetition of the blessing to Abraham. At first Jacob took the blessing by deceiving Isaac, then Isaac consciously repeated and emphasized the blessings.  Now God Himself is affirming the blessings that Jacob is to inherit.

[Genesis 28:15] AND, BEHOLD, I AM WITH THEE, AND WILL KEEP THEE IN ALL PLACES WHITHER THOU GOEST, AND WILL BRING THEE AGAIN INTO THIS LAND; FOR I WILL NOT LEAVE THEE, UNTIL I HAVE DONE THAT WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN TO THEE OF.

IN ALL PLACES WHITHER THOU GOEST: Midrash Tanchuma says that this meant the Exiles to Spain and Gaul and their neighbors. One section of The Celts before arriving in Britain and Ireland sojourned for several hundred years in Spain. In Lost Israelite Identity this was described in detail.

[Genesis 28:16] AND JACOB AWAKED OUT OF HIS SLEEP, AND HE SAID, SURELY THE LORD IS IN THIS PLACE; AND I KNEW IT NOT.                     
 
[Genesis 28:17] AND HE WAS AFRAID, AND SAID, HOW DREADFUL IS THIS PLACE! THIS IS NONE OTHER BUT THE HOUSE OF GOD, AND THIS IS THE GATE OF HEAVEN.                     
 
[Genesis 28:18] AND JACOB ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND TOOK THE STONE THAT HE HAD PUT FOR HIS PILLOWS, AND SET IT UP FOR A PILLAR, AND POURED OIL UPON THE TOP OF IT.

This stone according to tradition became the Stone of Scone upon which British monarchs are coronated. Whatever ones conclusions about this tradition the fact that it exists is significant.

[Genesis 28:19] AND HE CALLED THE NAME OF THAT PLACE BETHEL: BUT THE NAME OF THAT CITY WAS CALLED LUZ AT THE FIRST.                     
 
[Genesis 28:20] AND JACOB VOWED A VOW, SAYING, IF GOD WILL BE WITH ME, AND WILL KEEP ME IN THIS WAY THAT I GO, AND WILL GIVE ME BREAD TO EAT, AND RAIMENT TO PUT ON,

He worried about the basic necessities.

[Genesis 28:21] SO THAT I COME AGAIN TO MY FATHER'S HOUSE IN PEACE; THEN SHALL THE LORD BE MY GOD:

Jacob symbolizes Israel. The deeds of the forefathers symbolize the fate of their descendants. He is going out into Exile. He was praying for Gods protection and that God look after him and his family and bring him back:
THEN SHALL THE LORD BE MY GOD.

[Genesis 28:22] AND THIS STONE, WHICH I HAVE SET FOR A PILLAR, SHALL BE GOD'S HOUSE: AND OF ALL THAT THOU SHALT GIVE ME I WILL SURELY GIVE THE TENTH UNTO THEE.

He promised to give a tithe. If one gives tithes one receives a blessing. I have experienced this and so have others. Nevertheless it is not easy. If one is consistent about it, it goes OK, but if you let it go temporarily it may become difficult to return to.
Tithing of income in our generation is not really considered a commandment but rather a good practice that God wants us to do (for our own sakes) and for which a blessing is promised. One is commanded in general to give charity but no authority (as far as I know) says that one sins by not giving a tenth or more: -More than 20 % was forbidden by Rabbinical injunction since some people were in danger of being overgenerous and impoverishing themselves.
The legal status of tithing in our time is controversial. Not all religious Jews practice it but many (maybe most) do. One authority says that Gentiles are also obligated to tithe (just like Abraham gave a tenth to MelchiZedek) while others may not agree or would leave the subject open to individual decision. At all events all would agree that whether tithing in our generation is a binding commandment or not tithing does bring blessings. Tithing is usually associated with ensuring the blessing of a livelihood as mentioned by Malachi.
BRING YE ALL THE TITHES INTO THE STOREHOUSE, THAT THERE MAY BE MEAT IN MINE HOUSE, AND PROVE ME NOW HEREWITH, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, IF I WILL NOT OPEN YOU THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN, AND POUR YOU OUT A BLESSING, THAT THERE SHALL NOT BE ROOM ENOUGH TO RECEIVE IT [Malachi 3:10].    
Even though the blessing from tithing is associated with physical material returns Jacob also appears to link tithing with physical safety: I COME AGAIN TO MY FATHER'S HOUSE IN PEACE see later.

s.2
[Genesis 29:1] THEN JACOB WENT ON HIS JOURNEY, AND CAME INTO THE LAND OF THE PEOPLE OF THE EAST.                     
 
[Genesis 29:2] AND HE LOOKED, AND BEHOLD A WELL IN THE FIELD, AND, LO, THERE WERE THREE FLOCKS OF SHEEP LYING BY IT; FOR OUT OF THAT WELL THEY WATERED THE FLOCKS: AND A GREAT STONE WAS UPON THE WELL'S MOUTH.                     
 
[Genesis 29:3] AND THITHER WERE ALL THE FLOCKS GATHERED: AND THEY ROLLED THE STONE FROM THE WELL'S MOUTH, AND WATERED THE SHEEP, AND PUT THE STONE AGAIN UPON THE WELL'S MOUTH IN HIS PLACE.                     
 
[Genesis 29:4] AND JACOB SAID UNTO THEM, MY BRETHREN, WHENCE BE YE? AND THEY SAID, OF HARAN ARE WE.                     
 
[Genesis 29:5] AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, KNOW YE LABAN THE SON OF NAHOR? AND THEY SAID, WE KNOW HIM.                     
 
[Genesis 29:6] AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, IS HE WELL? AND THEY SAID, HE IS WELL: AND, BEHOLD, RACHEL HIS DAUGHTER COMETH WITH THE SHEEP.                     
 
[Genesis 29:7] AND HE SAID, LO, IT IS YET HIGH DAY,  NEITHER IS IT TIME THAT THE CATTLE SHOULD BE GATHERED TOGETHER: WATER YE THE SHEEP, AND GO AND FEED THEM.                     
 
[Genesis 29:8] AND THEY SAID, WE CANNOT, UNTIL ALL THE FLOCKS BE GATHERED TOGETHER, AND TILL THEY ROLL THE STONE FROM THE WELL'S MOUTH; THEN WE WATER THE SHEEP.                     
 
[Genesis 29:9] AND WHILE HE YET SPAKE WITH THEM, RACHEL CAME WITH HER FATHER'S SHEEP; FOR SHE KEPT THEM.                     
 
[Genesis 29:10] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN JACOB SAW RACHEL THE DAUGHTER OF LABAN HIS MOTHERS BROTHER, AND THE SHEEP OF LABAN HIS MOTHER'S BROTHER, THAT JACOB WENT NEAR, AND ROLLED THE STONE FROM THE WELL'S MOUTH, AND WATERED THE FLOCK OF LABAN HIS MOTHER'S BROTHER.

Up unto now we have pictured Jacob as a tent-dweller, simple, innocent and somehow less masculine than his brother Esau. This image was only partly correct. In his own way Jacob was just as much of a man, if not much more so, than anybody else in his surroundings.
Jacob was a man of enormous strength: ROLLED THE STONE FROM THE WELL'S MOUTH. The Prophets were often also heroes and mighty men. They were probably that way from the beginning but even if they were not the spirit of Prophecy would have instilled the quality of heroism within them.

[Genesis 29:11] AND JACOB KISSED RACHEL, AND LIFTED UP HIS VOICE, AND WEPT.

The fact that he had met Rachel in such a way is a clear example of Divine Providence.

[Genesis 29:12] AND JACOB TOLD RACHEL THAT HE WAS HER FATHER'S BROTHER, AND THAT HE WAS REBEKAH'S SON: AND SHE RAN AND TOLD HER FATHER.                     
 
[Genesis 29:13] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN LABAN HEARD THE TIDINGS OF JACOB HIS SISTERS SON, THAT HE RAN TO MEET HIM, AND EMBRACED HIM, AND KISSED HIM, AND BROUGHT HIM TO HIS HOUSE. AND HE TOLD LABAN ALL THESE THINGS.                     
 
[Genesis 29:14] AND LABAN SAID TO HIM, SURELY THOU ART MY BONE AND MY FLESH. AND HE ABODE WITH HIM THE SPACE OF A MONTH.                     
 
[Genesis 29:15] AND LABAN SAID UNTO JACOB, BECAUSE THOU ART MY BROTHER, SHOULDEST THOU THEREFORE SERVE ME FOR NOUGHT? TELL ME, WHAT SHALL THY WAGES BE?                     
 
[Genesis 29:16] AND LABAN HAD TWO DAUGHTERS: THE NAME OF THE ELDER WAS LEAH, AND THE NAME OF THE YOUNGER WAS RACHEL.                     
 
[Genesis 29:17] LEAH WAS TENDER EYED; BUT RACHEL WAS BEAUTIFUL AND WELL FAVOURED.

The name Leah in Hebrew can connote weariness. It also is said to indicate a calf in some non-Hebrew Semitic dialects. Rachel means a young lamb. We thus have here the rivalry between sheep and cattle raisers. Cattle raisers claim that sheep spoil the pasture, etc. In early American Wild Western history feuds broke out between cattle-raisers and sheepherders.

s.3
[Genesis 29:18] AND JACOB LOVED RACHEL; AND SAID, I WILL SERVE THEE SEVEN YEARS FOR RACHEL THY YOUNGER DAUGHTER.

The Bible is inspired. The Bible is the word of God. It is also good Literature and very interesting. It never loses its interest. We take it for granted and sometimes have to push ourselves to look at it but it never fails to reward us. There is always a message for us in it.
John Hulley wrote a work (Comets, Jews, and Protestants) claiming that most present-day human progress was due to the Lost Ten Tribes and to Bible learning. The book is convincing.

[Genesis 29:19] AND LABAN SAID, IT IS BETTER THAT I GIVE HER TO THEE, THAN THAT I SHOULD GIVE HER TO ANOTHER MAN: ABIDE WITH ME.                     
 
[Genesis 29:20] AND JACOB SERVED SEVEN YEARS FOR RACHEL; AND THEY SEEMED UNTO HIM BUT A FEW DAYS, FOR THE LOVE HE HAD TO HER.                     
 
[Genesis 29:21] AND JACOB SAID UNTO LABAN, GIVE ME MY WIFE, FOR MY DAYS ARE FULFILLED, THAT I MAY GO IN UNTO HER.                     
 
[Genesis 29:22] AND LABAN GATHERED TOGETHER ALL THE MEN OF THE PLACE, AND MADE A FEAST.                     
 
[Genesis 29:23] AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THE EVENING, THAT HE TOOK LEAH HIS DAUGHTER, AND BROUGHT HER TO HIM; AND HE WENT IN UNTO HER.                     
 
[Genesis 29:24] AND LABAN GAVE UNTO HIS DAUGHTER LEAH ZILPAH HIS MAID FOR AN HANDMAID.                     
 
[Genesis 29:25] AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT IN THE MORNING, BEHOLD, IT WAS LEAH: AND HE SAID TO LABAN, WHAT IS THIS THOU HAST DONE UNTO ME? DID NOT I SERVE WITH THEE FOR RACHEL? WHEREFORE THEN HAST THOU BEGUILED ME?                     
 
[Genesis 29:26] AND LABAN SAID, IT MUST NOT BE SO DONE IN OUR COUNTRY, TO GIVE THE YOUNGER BEFORE THE FIRSTBORN.                     
 
[Genesis 29:27] FULFIL HER WEEK, AND WE WILL GIVE THEE THIS ALSO FOR THE SERVICE WHICH THOU SHALT SERVE WITH ME YET SEVEN OTHER YEARS.                     
 
[Genesis 29:28] AND JACOB DID SO, AND FULFILLED HER WEEK: AND HE GAVE HIM RACHEL HIS DAUGHTER TO WIFE ALSO.                     
 
[Genesis 29:29] AND LABAN GAVE TO RACHEL HIS DAUGHTER BILHAH HIS HANDMAID TO BE HER MAID.                     
 
[Genesis 29:30] AND HE WENT IN ALSO UNTO RACHEL, AND HE LOVED ALSO RACHEL MORE THAN LEAH, AND SERVED WITH HIM YET SEVEN OTHER YEARS.                     
 
[Genesis 29:31] AND WHEN THE LORD SAW THAT LEAH WAS HATED, HE OPENED HER WOMB: BUT RACHEL WAS BARREN.                     
 
[Genesis 29:32] AND LEAH CONCEIVED, AND BARE A SON, AND SHE CALLED HIS NAME REUBEN: FOR SHE SAID, SURELY THE LORD HATH LOOKED UPON MY AFFLICTION; NOW THEREFORE MY HUSBAND WILL LOVE ME.

REUBEN in Hebrew connotes: See-a son i.e. REU(pronounced roo)-BEN. Reuben became prominent amongst the French with the Ribuari and Rubi Franks and groups named after clans of Reuben.

[Genesis 29:33] AND SHE CONCEIVED AGAIN, AND BARE A SON; AND SAID, BECAUSE THE LORD HATH HEARD I WAS HATED, HE HATH THEREFORE GIVEN ME THIS SON ALSO: AND SHE CALLED HIS NAME SIMEON.

Simeon connotes Hear or hear (shma) my oppression (ion?). Descendants of Simeon are all over. Simeon was strongly represented amongst the Jews, and also amongst the Irish and Welsh and in Finland..

[Genesis 29:34] AND SHE CONCEIVED AGAIN, AND BARE A SON; AND SAID, NOW THIS TIME WILL MY HUSBAND BE JOINED UNTO ME, BECAUSE I HAVE BORN HIM THREE SONS: THEREFORE WAS HIS NAME CALLED LEVI.

Levi means accompaniment. The Levites served in the Temple. They were guards and singers. They were given cities that in effect were in frontier areas overlooking newly conquered areas. They were teachers and instructors. They were supposed to receive a second tithe from much of the agricultural produce.
Most Levites are now amongst the Jews.  In addition we traced Levites and Simeonites to the Lombards of Northern Italy. Many others have the notion that Levites were prominent amongst the Welsh mainly because the Welsh love singing in choirs. Quite a few individuals who immersed themselves in Brit-Am researches and related studies also have the feeling that they descend from Levi. Moses came from Levi. The Priestly Caste (Cohens) are also a section of Levi but are quite distinct in character.

[Genesis 29:35] AND SHE CONCEIVED AGAIN, AND BARE A SON: AND SHE SAID, NOW WILL I PRAISE THE LORD: THEREFORE SHE CALLED HIS NAME JUDAH; AND LEFT BEARING.

Judah can connote praise and also acknowledgment.

[Genesis 30:1] AND WHEN RACHEL SAW THAT SHE BARE JACOB NO CHILDREN, RACHEL ENVIED HER SISTER; AND SAID UNTO JACOB, GIVE ME CHILDREN, OR ELSE I DIE.                     
 
[Genesis 30:2] AND JACOB'S ANGER WAS KINDLED AGAINST RACHEL: AND HE SAID, AM I IN GOD'S STEAD, WHO HATH WITHHELD FROM THEE THE FRUIT OF THE WOMB?                     
 
[Genesis 30:3] AND SHE SAID, BEHOLD MY MAID BILHAH, GO IN UNTO HER; AND SHE SHALL BEAR UPON MY KNEES, THAT I MAY ALSO HAVE CHILDREN BY HER.                     
 
[Genesis 30:4] AND SHE GAVE HIM BILHAH HER HANDMAID TO WIFE: AND JACOB WENT IN UNTO HER.                     
 
[Genesis 30:5] AND BILHAH CONCEIVED, AND BARE JACOB A SON.                     
 
[Genesis 30:6] AND RACHEL SAID, GOD HATH JUDGED ME, AND HATH ALSO HEARD MY VOICE, AND HATH GIVEN ME A SON: THEREFORE CALLED SHE HIS NAME DAN.

Dan means judgment. Dan was in Denmark, in Wales and Britain (Don), and in Ireland (Dana).

[Genesis 30:7] AND BILHAH RACHEL'S MAID CONCEIVED AGAIN, AND BARE JACOB A SECOND SON.                     
 
[Genesis 30:8] AND RACHEL SAID, WITH GREAT WRESTLINGS HAVE I WRESTLED WITH MY SISTER, AND I HAVE PREVAILED: AND SHE CALLED HIS NAME NAPHTALI.

Naphtali a very important tribe.
The Naphtalites settled mainly in Norway, also amongst the Khazars and in Yemen whence a few were taken to Ethiopia. We discussed this in our work, "Ephraim". Nephtali and Dan were both sons of Bilhah and descendants of the two were usually found in the same areas.

[Genesis 30:9] WHEN LEAH SAW THAT SHE HAD LEFT BEARING, SHE TOOK ZILPAH HER MAID, AND GAVE HER JACOB TO WIFE.                     
 
[Genesis 30:10] AND ZILPAH LEAH'S MAID BARE JACOB A SON.                     
 
[Genesis 30:11] AND LEAH SAID, A TROOP COMETH: AND SHE CALLED HIS NAME GAD.

The Radak (Safer HaShorashim) says that Leah used a play on words saying that a whole troop of children was being born and that this signified good luck.
Gad was also pronounceable in Biblical Hebrew as "Goth". The Goths were one of the main peoples who settled in Sweden. The Goths also spread their seed throughout Europe. In The Tribes we supported the old opinion that the Getae (of the Balkans) and the Goths were one and the same people. The latest academic research is now swinging around to support this opinion as well.

[Genesis 30:12] AND ZILPAH LEAH'S MAID BARE JACOB A SECOND SON.                     
 
[Genesis 30:13] AND LEAH SAID, HAPPY AM I, FOR THE DAUGHTERS WILL CALL ME BLESSED: AND SHE CALLED HIS NAME ASHER.

Asher we traced to Scotland; also to Scandinavia. Even though Asher had its own territory a great number from Asher settled in the region of Manasseh. So did people from other tribes. In many ways Manasseh in Biblical times was in effect the most important tribe though this is not generally realized. This is significant since nowadays the USA is dominated by Manasseh but many people from other tribes are present in America. The Biblical pattern repeats itself constantly. By learning the Bible we can come to appreciate our present reality.

s.4
[Genesis 30:14] AND REUBEN WENT IN THE DAYS OF WHEAT HARVEST, AND FOUND MANDRAKES IN THE FIELD, AND BROUGHT THEM UNTO HIS MOTHER LEAH. THEN RACHEL SAID TO LEAH, GIVE ME, I PRAY THEE, OF THY SON'S MANDRAKES.                     
 
[Genesis 30:15] AND SHE SAID UNTO HER, IS IT A SMALL MATTER THAT THOU HAST TAKEN MY HUSBAND? AND WOULDEST THOU TAKE AWAY MY SON'S MANDRAKES ALSO? AND RACHEL SAID, THEREFORE HE SHALL LIE WITH THEE TO NIGHT FOR THY SON'S MANDRAKES.

It was actually Leah who had taken Rachels husband. Perhaps Jacob was paying too much attention to Rachel at the expense of Leah.
In exceptional circumstances a man could take additional wives. In principle a man should only have one. In the case that he has more than one wife the Bible commands him to treat them all equally.
The Bible allows for polygamy. In our day and society it does not work out that way.
The bottom line is often social acceptance. My impression is that the Mormons were able to get away with polygamy amongst themselves since amongst themselves it was socially acceptable. This impression has been confirmed by case studies in other areas. I have seen cases where men have tried to keep an extra woman and this has contributed to the end of their marriage. In some cases the wife had been acquiescent at first but then changed her mind, sometime due to the social pressures of other people. Also the men in question in my opinion made the mistake of wanting their wives to acquiesce and to know about it, when they would rather not have known.
 
Whatever the case to the degree that we pray and learn and succeed in following
The Law of God as we understand it, God looks after us even when we are mistaken.
 
Reuben brought the mandrake that according to some opinions had aphrodisiacal or fertility-enhancing properties.
Reuben became dominant in France. The French have an international reputation (deserved or not) for being romantic.

[Genesis 30:16] AND JACOB CAME OUT OF THE FIELD IN THE EVENING, AND LEAH WENT OUT TO MEET HIM, AND SAID, THOU MUST COME IN UNTO ME; FOR SURELY I HAVE HIRED THEE WITH MY SONS MANDRAKES. AND HE LAY WITH HER THAT NIGHT.                     
 
[Genesis 30:17] AND GOD HEARKENED UNTO LEAH, AND SHE CONCEIVED, AND BARE JACOB THE FIFTH SON.                     
 
[Genesis 30:18] AND LEAH SAID, GOD HATH GIVEN ME MY HIRE, BECAUSE I HAVE GIVEN MY MAIDEN TO MY HUSBAND: AND SHE CALLED HIS NAME ISSACHAR.

Issachar is derived from the Hebrew Sachar meaning reward.                     
Issachar became prominent amongst the Swiss and Fins.
In Finland there were elements from Simeon, Gad, and Issachar.
The earliest written histories of Finland recorded the tradition that they were descended from the Lost Ten Tribes.

[Genesis 30:19] AND LEAH CONCEIVED AGAIN, AND BARE JACOB THE SIXTH SON.                     
 
[Genesis 30:20] AND LEAH SAID, GOD HATH ENDUED ME WITH A GOOD DOWRY; NOW WILL MY HUSBAND DWELL WITH ME, BECAUSE I HAVE BORN HIM SIX SONS: AND SHE CALLED HIS NAME ZEBULUN.

Zebulon became the Dutch. Ptolemy recorded the presence of the Sabalingoi (People of Zebulon) in the region bordering on Northern Holland.

[Genesis 30:21] AND AFTERWARDS SHE BARE A DAUGHTER, AND CALLED HER NAME DINAH.                     
 
[Genesis 30:22] AND GOD REMEMBERED RACHEL, AND GOD HEARKENED TO HER, AND OPENED HER WOMB.                     
 
[Genesis 30:23] AND SHE CONCEIVED, AND BARE A SON; AND SAID, GOD HATH TAKEN AWAY MY REPROACH:                     
 
[Genesis 30:24] AND SHE CALLED HIS NAME JOSEPH; AND SAID, THE LORD SHALL ADD TO ME ANOTHER SON.

Joseph means addition.

[Genesis 30:25] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN RACHEL HAD BORN JOSEPH, THAT JACOB SAID UNTO LABAN, SEND ME AWAY, THAT I MAY GO UNTO MINE OWN PLACE, AND TO MY COUNTRY.

Concerning the above verse the Sages asked:

`What difference did the birth of Joseph make?'
            Rabbi Shmuel ben Nachmani replied,
            ~Jacob our forefather foresaw that the seed of Esau is not destined to be delivered into the hands of anyone, save Joseph, as it says (Obadiah 1;18),
            ~`And the house of Jacob shall be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame and the house of Esau for stubble~'.."
            (Talmud, Baba Batra 123;b).

Regarding the Lost Ten Tribes and their identification with the West European peoples and equating especially the English speaking British descended section with the Tribes (Ephraim and Menasseh) of Joseph the following remark should be made:
            Esau today is represented primarily by the forces of Rome, Germany, perhaps also Russia, the rest of Europe, and maybe Japan. If there is a war and these forces must be beaten, then there are not many nations in existence today who are capable of doing so. The so-called "Anglo-Saxon" British descended nations have however defeated Germany together with her allies in the past. They are still the only peoples today who would be capable of countering a revived European Empire or Russia or any other similar great power. This phenomenon in an indirect way may also be taken as an additional affirmation that the Anglo-Saxon nations are descended from the Tribes of Joseph. [Genesis 30:26] GIVE ME MY WIVES AND MY CHILDREN, FOR WHOM I HAVE SERVED THEE, AND LET ME GO: FOR THOU KNOWEST MY SERVICE WHICH I HAVE DONE THEE.                     
 
[Genesis 30:27] AND LABAN SAID UNTO HIM, I PRAY THEE, IF I HAVE FOUND FAVOUR IN THINE EYES, TARRY: FOR I HAVE LEARNED BY EXPERIENCE THAT THE LORD HATH BLESSED ME FOR THY SAKE.                     
 
s.5
[Genesis 30:28] AND HE SAID, APPOINT ME THY WAGES, AND I WILL GIVE IT.                     
 
[Genesis 30:29] AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, THOU KNOWEST HOW I HAVE SERVED THEE, AND HOW THY CATTLE WAS WITH ME.                     
 
[Genesis 30:30] FOR IT WAS LITTLE WHICH THOU HADST BEFORE I CAME, AND IT IS NOW INCREASED UNTO A MULTITUDE; AND THE LORD HATH BLESSED THEE SINCE MY COMING: AND NOW WHEN SHALL I PROVIDE FOR MINE OWN HOUSE ALSO?

Someone who helps a righteous man is blessed himself.

[Genesis 30:31] AND HE SAID, WHAT SHALL I GIVE THEE? AND JACOB SAID, THOU SHALT NOT GIVE ME ANY THING: IF THOU WILT DO THIS THING FOR ME, I WILL AGAIN FEED AND KEEP THY FLOCK.                     
 
[Genesis 30:32] I WILL PASS THROUGH ALL THY FLOCK TO DAY, REMOVING FROM THENCE ALL THE SPECKLED AND SPOTTED CATTLE, AND ALL THE BROWN CATTLE AMONG THE SHEEP, AND THE SPOTTED AND SPECKLED AMONG THE GOATS: AND OF SUCH SHALL BE MY HIRE.                     
 
[Genesis 30:33] SO SHALL MY RIGHTEOUSNESS ANSWER FOR ME IN TIME TO COME, WHEN IT SHALL COME FOR MY HIRE BEFORE THY FACE: EVERY ONE THAT IS NOT SPECKLED AND SPOTTED AMONG THE GOATS, AND BROWN AMONG THE SHEEP, THAT SHALL BE COUNTED STOLEN WITH ME.                     
 
[Genesis 30:34] AND LABAN SAID, BEHOLD, I WOULD IT MIGHT BE ACCORDING TO THY WORD.                     
 
[Genesis 30:35] AND HE REMOVED THAT DAY THE HE GOATS THAT WERE RINGSTRAKED AND SPOTTED, AND ALL THE SHE GOATS THAT WERE SPECKLED AND SPOTTED, AND EVERY ONE THAT HAD SOME WHITE IN IT, AND ALL THE BROWN AMONG THE SHEEP, AND GAVE THEM INTO THE HAND OF HIS SONS.                     
 
[Genesis 30:36] AND HE SET THREE DAYS' JOURNEY BETWIXT HIMSELF AND JACOB: AND JACOB FED THE REST OF LABAN'S FLOCKS.                     
 
[Genesis 30:37] AND JACOB TOOK HIM RODS OF GREEN POPLAR, AND OF THE HAZEL AND CHESNUT TREE; AND PILLED WHITE STRAKES IN THEM, AND MADE THE WHITE APPEAR WHICH WAS IN THE RODS.                     
 
[Genesis 30:38] AND HE SET THE RODS WHICH HE HAD PILLED BEFORE THE FLOCKS IN THE GUTTERS IN THE WATERING TROUGHS WHEN THE FLOCKS CAME TO DRINK, THAT THEY SHOULD CONCEIVE WHEN THEY CAME TO DRINK.                     
 
[Genesis 30:39] AND THE FLOCKS CONCEIVED BEFORE THE RODS, AND BROUGHT FORTH CATTLE RINGSTRAKED, SPECKLED, AND SPOTTED.                     
 
[Genesis 30:40] AND JACOB DID SEPARATE THE LAMBS, AND SET THE FACES OF THE FLOCKS TOWARD THE RINGSTRAKED, AND ALL THE BROWN IN THE FLOCK OF LABAN; AND HE PUT HIS OWN FLOCKS BY THEMSELVES, AND PUT THEM NOT UNTO LABAN'S CATTLE.                     
 
[Genesis 30:41] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHENSOEVER THE STRONGER CATTLE DID CONCEIVE, THAT JACOB LAID THE RODS BEFORE THE EYES OF THE CATTLE IN THE GUTTERS, THAT THEY MIGHT CONCEIVE AMONG THE RODS.                     
 
[Genesis 30:42] BUT WHEN THE CATTLE WERE FEEBLE, HE PUT THEM NOT IN: SO THE FEEBLER WERE LABAN'S, AND THE STRONGER JACOB'S.

Extract from The Tribes chapter two:
            Regarding external influences, it is related in the Book of Genesis how Jacob was set to mind flocks of sheep and goats belonging to his father-in-law, Laban (Genesis 30;31-43). The sheep were either all white or of mixed-coloring whereas the goats were all black or mixed-colored. Laban separated all the mixed-colored out leaving only the pure colored in Jacob's care. Nevertheless, according to the Law of Genetics part of the pure-colored animals left with Jacob were probably the offspring of mixed-colored and pure-colored mating who appeared pure-colored yet retained the Genetic potential for mixed-coloreds within them. Jacob placed rods peeled in certain patterns in the watering- troughs of the "STRONGER" (Genesis 30;41) beasts before their mating and so produced mixed-colored lambs. The Hebrew word translated as "stronger" (Mekusherot) actually more correctly means the "first-to-breed"19. But when the cattle were feeble he put them [i.e. the rods] not in (Genesis 30;42). The Hebrew word translated here as feeble is interpreted in the Aramaic translation to mean latecoming meaning late to breed. In animals and plants, cross-breeds often breed earlier. In other words the account may be understood as saying that Jacob placed the peeled-rods before those animals who were of mixed parentage with a mixed genetic constitution even though externally they appeared to be pure-breeds.  Since they were "the first-to-breed" they would have been the ones with the mixed Genetic potential. Jacob was inspired to utilize external influences in order to realize the inherent Genetic potential since he placed rods only before those beasts who were of mixed parentage and acted accordingly20. The rods may have acted as some type of catalyst.
The environment can influence the type of offspring especially when a strong genetic potential for the type produced already exists.
We have written on this matter elsewhere.
See our Answers to
Questions on Race #4. Can "Racial" Features be Acquired through Environmental Influence?

[Genesis 30:43] AND THE MAN INCREASED EXCEEDINGLY, AND HAD MUCH CATTLE, AND MAIDSERVANTS, AND MENSERVANTS, AND CAMELS, AND ASSES.                     
 
[Genesis 31:1] AND HE HEARD THE WORDS OF LABAN'S SONS, SAYING, JACOB HATH TAKEN AWAY ALL THAT WAS OUR FATHER'S; AND OF THAT WHICH WAS OUR FATHER'S HATH HE GOTTEN ALL THIS GLORY.

Jacob came to Laban before Laban had sons or servants. Laban had been sending his daughter out to work as a shepherdess. After Jacob arrived Laban prospered mightily. Jacob also (with great difficulty and planning) managed to put something aside for himself. Labans sons were jealous of the little Jacob had even though all that they had and even their very existence was by virtue of Jacob.
In this case Jacob represents the Jewish people in exile. Very often they contribute mightily to the prosperity of the countries in which they reside. In some cases what little good is in the country is largely by virtue of the Jews. Nevertheless evil influences amongst the locals cause them to claim that what little the Jews have has been taken unjustly from the locals. They do not realize that not only what the Jews have is by their own virtue but also what the locals have is by virtue (in many cases) of the Jews.

[Genesis 31:2] AND JACOB BEHELD THE COUNTENANCE OF LABAN, AND, BEHOLD, IT WAS NOT TOWARD HIM AS BEFORE.                     
 
[Genesis 31:3] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO JACOB, RETURN UNTO THE LAND OF THY FATHERS, AND TO THY KINDRED; AND I WILL BE WITH THEE.                     
 
[Genesis 31:4] AND JACOB SENT AND CALLED RACHEL AND LEAH TO THE FIELD UNTO HIS FLOCK,

There is something about open spaces that is better for the confiding of confidences.

[Genesis 31:5] AND SAID UNTO THEM, I SEE YOUR FATHER'S COUNTENANCE, THAT IT IS NOT TOWARD ME AS BEFORE; BUT THE GOD OF MY FATHER HATH BEEN WITH ME.                     
 
[Genesis 31:6] AND YE KNOW THAT WITH ALL MY POWER I HAVE SERVED YOUR FATHER.                     
 
[Genesis 31:7] AND YOUR FATHER HATH DECEIVED ME, AND CHANGED MY WAGES TEN TIMES; BUT GOD SUFFERED HIM NOT TO HURT ME.

His wives were good women with good hearts and loyal to their husband. They identified with their husband as good wives should.

[Genesis 31:8] IF HE SAID THUS, THE SPECKLED SHALL BE THY WAGES; THEN ALL THE CATTLE BARE SPECKLED: AND IF HE SAID THUS, THE RINGSTRAKED SHALL BE THY HIRE; THEN BARE ALL THE CATTLE RINGSTRAKED.                     
 
[Genesis 31:9] THUS GOD HATH TAKEN AWAY THE CATTLE OF YOUR FATHER, AND GIVEN THEM TO ME.                     
 
[Genesis 31:10] AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THE TIME THAT THE CATTLE CONCEIVED, THAT I LIFTED UP MINE EYES, AND SAW IN A DREAM, AND, BEHOLD, THE RAMS WHICH LEAPED UPON THE CATTLE WERE RINGSTRAKED, SPECKLED, AND GRISLED.                     
 
[Genesis 31:11] AND THE ANGEL OF GOD SPAKE UNTO ME IN A DREAM, SAYING, JACOB: AND I SAID, HERE AM I.                     
 
[Genesis 31:12] AND HE SAID, LIFT UP NOW THINE EYES, AND SEE, ALL THE RAMS WHICH LEAP UPON THE CATTLE ARE RINGSTRAKED, SPECKLED, AND GRISLED: FOR I HAVE SEEN ALL THAT LABAN DOETH UNTO THEE.                     
 
[Genesis 31:13] I AM THE GOD OF BETHEL, WHERE THOU ANOINTEDST THE PILLAR, AND WHERE THOU VOWEDST A VOW UNTO ME: NOW ARISE, GET THEE OUT FROM THIS LAND, AND RETURN UNTO THE LAND OF THY KINDRED.                     
 
[Genesis 31:14] AND RACHEL AND LEAH ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM, IS THERE YET ANY PORTION OR INHERITANCE FOR US IN OUR FATHER'S HOUSE?                     
 
[Genesis 31:15] ARE WE NOT COUNTED OF HIM STRANGERS? FOR HE HATH SOLD US, AND HATH QUITE DEVOURED ALSO OUR MONEY.                     
 
[Genesis 31:16] FOR ALL THE RICHES WHICH GOD HATH TAKEN FROM OUR FATHER, THAT IS OURS, AND OUR CHILDREN'S: NOW THEN, WHATSOEVER GOD HATH SAID UNTO THEE, DO.                     
 
s.6
[Genesis 31:17] THEN JACOB ROSE UP, AND SET HIS SONS AND HIS WIVES UPON CAMELS;                     
 
[Genesis 31:18] AND HE CARRIED AWAY ALL HIS CATTLE, AND ALL HIS GOODS WHICH HE HAD GOTTEN, THE CATTLE OF HIS GETTING, WHICH HE HAD GOTTEN IN PADANARAM, FOR TO GO TO ISAAC HIS FATHER IN THE LAND OF CANAAN.                     
 
[Genesis 31:19] AND LABAN WENT TO SHEAR HIS SHEEP: AND RACHEL HAD STOLEN THE IMAGES THAT WERE HER FATHER'S.

Archaeological findings indicate that possession of the images gave whichever of the heirs of Laban who held them a certain claim over his inheritance.

[Genesis 31:20] AND JACOB STOLE AWAY UNAWARES TO LABAN THE SYRIAN, IN THAT HE TOLD HIM NOT THAT HE FLED.                     
 
[Genesis 31:21] SO HE FLED WITH ALL THAT HE HAD; AND HE ROSE UP, AND PASSED OVER THE RIVER, AND SET HIS FACE TOWARD THE MOUNT GILEAD.                     
 
[Genesis 31:22] AND IT WAS TOLD LABAN ON THE THIRD DAY THAT JACOB WAS FLED.                     
 
[Genesis 31:23] AND HE TOOK HIS BRETHREN WITH HIM, AND PURSUED AFTER HIM SEVEN DAYS JOURNEY; AND THEY OVERTOOK HIM IN THE MOUNT GILEAD.

The geographical area was called Gilead. Gilead was later to be the name of a grandson of Menasseh who settled east of the Jordan. The people of Gilead were violent, wild, frontiersmen, but of great spiritual potential. We have evidence indicating that the descendants of Gilead later settled in regions of Scotland and the Borderland of North England and Ulster (North Ireland). From there they populated the Wild West and the American Frontier areas. These findings were published in the work Joseph by Yair Davidiy.

[Genesis 31:24] AND GOD CAME TO LABAN THE SYRIAN IN A DREAM BY NIGHT, AND SAID UNTO  HIM, TAKE HEED THAT THOU SPEAK NOT TO JACOB EITHER GOOD OR BAD.                     
 
[Genesis 31:25] THEN LABAN OVERTOOK JACOB. NOW JACOB HAD PITCHED HIS TENT IN THE MOUNT: AND LABAN WITH HIS BRETHREN PITCHED IN THE MOUNT OF GILEAD.                     
 
[Genesis 31:26] AND LABAN SAID TO JACOB, WHAT HAST THOU DONE, THAT THOU HAST STOLEN AWAY UNAWARES TO ME, AND CARRIED AWAY MY DAUGHTERS, AS CAPTIVES TAKEN WITH THE SWORD?                     
 
[Genesis 31:27] WHEREFORE DIDST THOU FLEE AWAY SECRETLY, AND STEAL AWAY FROM ME; AND DIDST NOT TELL ME, THAT I MIGHT HAVE SENT THEE AWAY WITH MIRTH, AND WITH SONGS, WITH TABRET, AND WITH HARP?                     
 
[Genesis 31:28] AND HAST NOT SUFFERED ME TO KISS MY SONS AND MY DAUGHTERS? THOU HAST NOW DONE FOOLISHLY IN SO DOING.                     
 
[Genesis 31:29] IT IS IN THE POWER OF MY HAND TO DO YOU HURT: BUT THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER SPAKE UNTO ME YESTERNIGHT, SAYING, TAKE THOU HEED THAT THOU SPEAK NOT TO JACOB EITHER GOOD OR BAD.                     
 
[Genesis 31:30] AND NOW, THOUGH THOU WOULDEST NEEDS BE GONE, BECAUSE THOU SORE LONGEDST AFTER THY FATHER'S HOUSE, YET WHEREFORE HAST THOU STOLEN MY GODS?                     
 
[Genesis 31:31] AND JACOB ANSWERED AND SAID TO LABAN, BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID: FOR I SAID, PERADVENTURE THOU WOULDEST TAKE BY FORCE THY DAUGHTERS FROM ME.                     
 
[Genesis 31:32] WITH WHOMSOEVER THOU FINDEST THY GODS, LET HIM NOT LIVE: BEFORE OUR BRETHREN DISCERN THOU WHAT IS THINE WITH ME, AND TAKE IT TO THEE. FOR JACOB KNEW NOT THAT RACHEL HAD STOLEN THEM.                     
 
[Genesis 31:33] AND LABAN WENT INTO JACOB'S TENT, AND INTO LEAH'S TENT, AND INTO THE TWO  MAIDSERVANTS' TENTS; BUT HE FOUND THEM NOT. THEN WENT HE OUT OF LEAH'S TENT, AND ENTERED INTO RACHEL'S TENT.                     
 
[Genesis 31:34] NOW RACHEL HAD TAKEN THE IMAGES, AND PUT THEM IN THE CAMEL'S FURNITURE, AND SAT UPON THEM. AND LABAN SEARCHED ALL THE TENT, BUT FOUND THEM NOT.                     
 
[Genesis 31:35] AND SHE SAID TO HER FATHER, LET IT NOT DISPLEASE MY LORD THAT I CANNOT RISE UP BEFORE THEE; FOR THE CUSTOM OF WOMEN IS UPON ME. AND HE SEARCHED BUT FOUND NOT THE IMAGES.                     
 
[Genesis 31:36] AND JACOB WAS WROTH, AND CHODE WITH LABAN: AND JACOB ANSWERED AND SAID TO LABAN, WHAT IS MY TRESPASS? WHAT IS MY SIN, THAT THOU HAST SO HOTLY PURSUED AFTER ME?                     
 
[Genesis 31:37] WHEREAS THOU HAST SEARCHED ALL MY STUFF, WHAT HAST THOU FOUND OF ALL THY HOUSEHOLD STUFF? SET IT HERE BEFORE MY BRETHREN AND THY BRETHREN, THAT THEY MAY JUDGE BETWIXT US BOTH.                     
 
[Genesis 31:38] THIS TWENTY YEARS HAVE I BEEN WITH THEE; THY EWES AND THY SHE GOATS HAVE NOT CAST THEIR YOUNG, AND THE RAMS OF THY FLOCK HAVE I NOT EATEN.                     
 
[Genesis 31:39] THAT WHICH WAS TORN OF BEASTS I BROUGHT NOT UNTO THEE; I BARE THE LOSS OF IT; OF MY HAND DIDST THOU REQUIRE IT, WHETHER STOLEN BY DAY, OR STOLEN BY NIGHT.                     
 
[Genesis 31:40] THUS I WAS; IN THE DAY THE DROUGHT CONSUMED ME, AND THE FROST BY NIGHT; AND MY SLEEP DEPARTED FROM MINE EYES.

Jacob had worked in heat and cold, day and night, in the open wilderness spaces. Jacob had earned everything he received. I was once in a similar situation working as a guard of heavy construction equipment in a place surrounded by Arab villages. The job only lasted for a short period and required nothing strenuous. Nevertheless I can appreciate a little of what Jacob went through.

[Genesis 31:41] THUS HAVE I BEEN TWENTY YEARS IN THY HOUSE; I SERVED THEE FOURTEEN YEARS FOR THY TWO DAUGHTERS, AND SIX YEARS FOR THY CATTLE: AND THOU HAST CHANGED MY WAGES TEN TIMES.                     
 
[Genesis 31:42] EXCEPT THE GOD OF MY FATHER, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE FEAR OF ISAAC, HAD BEEN WITH ME, SURELY THOU HADST SENT ME AWAY NOW EMPTY. GOD HATH SEEN MINE AFFLICTION AND THE LABOUR OF MY HANDS, AND REBUKED THEE YESTERNIGHT.                     
 
s.7
[Genesis 31:43] AND LABAN ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO JACOB, THESE DAUGHTERS ARE MY DAUGHTERS, AND THESE CHILDREN ARE MY CHILDREN, AND THESE CATTLE ARE MY CATTLE, AND ALL THAT THOU SEEST IS MINE: AND WHAT CAN I DO THIS DAY UNTO THESE MY DAUGHTERS, OR UNTO THEIR CHILDREN WHICH THEY HAVE BORN?                     
 
[Genesis 31:44] NOW THEREFORE COME THOU, LET US MAKE A COVENANT, I AND THOU; AND LET IT BE FOR A WITNESS BETWEEN ME AND THEE.                     
 
[Genesis 31:45] AND JACOB TOOK A STONE, AND SET IT UP FOR A PILLAR.                     
 
[Genesis 31:46] AND JACOB SAID UNTO HIS BRETHREN, GATHER STONES; AND THEY TOOK STONES, AND MADE AN HEAP: AND THEY DID EAT THERE UPON THE HEAP.                     
 
[Genesis 31:47] AND LABAN CALLED IT JEGARSAHADUTHA: BUT JACOB CALLED IT GALEED.                     
 
[Genesis 31:48] AND LABAN SAID, THIS HEAP IS A WITNESS BETWEEN ME AND THEE THIS DAY. THEREFORE WAS THE NAME OF IT CALLED GALEED;

They set up a pile of stones otherwise known as a cairn.  The forefathers used to set up cairns and dolmens to commemorate covenants and significant events. The Hebrew version of Jeremiah 31:12 according to the Commentators says that the Israelites in exile were commanded to set up a trail of dolmens and cairns leading from the Land of Israel to their places of exile. Such a trail exists connecting the Land of Israel to Western Europe. This is explained in detail in Ephraim chapter six. This is a very important point and is additional proof for the Brit-Am case.
See also our article about
The Dolmens.

[Genesis 31:49] AND MIZPAH; FOR HE SAID, THE LORD WATCH BETWEEN ME AND THEE, WHEN WE ARE ABSENT ONE FROM ANOTHER.                     
 
[Genesis 31:50] IF THOU SHALT AFFLICT MY DAUGHTERS, OR IF THOU SHALT TAKE OTHER WIVES BESIDE MY DAUGHTERS, NO MAN IS WITH US; SEE, GOD IS WITNESS BETWIXT ME AND THEE.

Laban intended to destroy Jacob. God told him to leave Jacob alone. Laban therefore makes a covenant with Jacob and makes him promise not to take additional wives as rivals to the daughters of Laban whom Jacob had married. There are two main types of enemies of Israel: One is suicidal and will try to do what it can against us even if it means harming themselves.
The other is pragmatic. They would like to harm us but when they see that we are going ahead and progressing anyway then they make peace and even try and ensure that they have special privileges with us and can share our fate. All the enemies of Israel in the Last days will make peace with Israel since they will realize that such is the will of God and it is to their own advantage.

[Gnesis 31:51] AND LABAN SAID TO JACOB, BEHOLD THIS HEAP, AND BEHOLD THIS PILLAR, WHICH I HAVE CAST BETWIXT ME AND THEE:

a heap and pillar.
In Britain: The heap of stones was called a cairn.
The pillar was called a menhir. One stone laid like a table top to straddle two or more other supporting stones was called a dolmen.
These all originated in the Land of Israel.
They were later set up by Israelites in Western Europe. They date mostly to the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age (ca. 600 BCE in Europe) and not much earlier as has been claimed in the past.  They form migratory paths from the Land of Israel to the West. We are revising our appreciation of the Celts. Israelites were present throughout the expanse of Celtic Civilisation and to a degree gave rise to it. Nevertheless we are inclined at present to assume that Israelites were not a majority in every area but rather mainly in those areas where dolmens were present. The Druids were also associated with dolmens. The druids were found wherever Celtic Civilization and dolmens existed side by side. Druidical religion was a combination of Hebrew and pagan Middle Eastern practices with other accretions. The Northern Israelites (2-Kings chapter 17) had been exiled for going in the ways of the nations around them.

[Genesis 31:52] THIS HEAP BE WITNESS, AND THIS PILLAR BE WITNESS, THAT I WILL NOT PASS OVER THIS HEAP TO THEE, AND THAT THOU SHALT NOT PASS OVER THIS HEAP AND THIS PILLAR UNTO ME, FOR HARM.                     
 
[Genesis 31:53] THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF NAHOR, THE GOD OF THEIR FATHER, JUDGE BETWIXT US. AND JACOB SWARE BY THE FEAR OF HIS FATHER ISAAC.                     
 
[Genesis 31:54] THEN JACOB OFFERED SACRIFICE UPON THE MOUNT, AND CALLED HIS BRETHREN TO EAT BREAD: AND THEY DID EAT BREAD, AND TARRIED ALL NIGHT IN THE MOUNT.                     
 
[Genesis 31:55] AND EARLY IN THE MORNING LABAN ROSE UP, AND KISSED HIS SONS AND HIS DAUGHTERS, AND BLESSED THEM: AND LABAN DEPARTED, AND RETURNED UNTO HIS PLACE.                     
 
[Genesis 32:1] AND JACOB WENT ON HIS WAY, AND THE ANGELS OF GOD MET HIM.

Gods protection had been with him all the time. Now he was returning to the Land of Israel and angles came out to meet him. They were greeting an old friend. We do not appreciate Jacob enough.
He was a simple person who preferred to dwell indoors, in tents.
When he had to he could adopt traits that were diametrically opposed to his natural inclinations. He had incredible physical strength and used it. For the sake of posterity and of heaven he took advantage of his wildman of a brother in a moment of weakness and bought the birthright from him. He obeyed his mother to deceive his father and on the superficial level cheat his brother of the blessing of their father. This was justified under the extremely exceptional circumstances.
Nevertheless it could raise ???
Members of an Ethical Committee could raise their eyebrows.
Jacob was a man of fantastic superhuman physical strength. He was capable for great lengths of time of dwelling outside in all weather, of taking risks, of overseeing his flocks, guarding against wild animals and wild condition, husbanding his charges. For the woman he loved he gave himself over to a long servitude. He combined an appreciation of natural science with Divine Inspiration to cheat his father-in-law who had been trying to cheat him.
At the same time he is spiritual. He is familiar with angels. They are his friends, and companions. He lives in a demi-world where a wild primeval reality of naked forces merges with the supernatural. Later (again for the sake of posterity) he physically struggles with an angel and subdues him. The Bible relates all these matters in a matter of fact almost incidental manner. Jacob was the forefather of the Israelite people.
We have all inherited traits of Jacob and should strive to emulate them and endeavor that our motivation be as simple and true as that of Jacob was.

[Genesis 32:2] AND WHEN JACOB SAW THEM, HE SAID, THIS IS GOD'S HOST: AND HE CALLED THE NAME OF THAT PLACE MAHANAIM.

Mahanaim means two camps. The place may have been so called prior to Jacob arriving there but Jacobs arrival endued new potency to the meaning of the name. This same principle concerning place-names holds throughout the Bible.