[Avodah] Vayeitze "Watch Whom You Marry"

[kennethgmiller at juno.com]

R' Richard Wolpoe asked:
> How did HKBH let Y'aaov Avinu have relations with Le'ah that
> night when his Kesubbah said Rachel - which meant his bi'ah
> was assur.

I figure it's a kal vachomer from the heter to marry two sisters: If violating that d'Oraisa was necessary, then violating this d'Rabanan is a slam dunk. But I'll admit that sounds too glib, and I hope someone can come up with something better.

Here's my (somewhat related) question on this parsha: Why did Rachel have to relate to subterfuge to accomplish all this? Why couldn't she go to Yaakov and say, "Listen, we have a problem. I can't marry you while Leah is still single." The only answer I can come up with is that she feared Yaakov would have cancelled the whole thing. Anyone else?

Akiva Miller