[Avodah] Was Lavan daft, dense or what?

[Arie Folger]

RDE wrote:
> M. Greenberg,
> however, has cast serious doubts on the validity of this interpretation,
> and maintains that since both the adopted son and the legitimate heir
> divide the inheritance equally, the possession of these household gods
> does not determine a title to inheritance but rather leadership of the
> family, and a claim to paterfamilias.

How would that interpretation be applicable to parshat Vayetze, since Rachel 
took the terafim as they were leaving, while the notion of paterfamilias 
seems most sensible when the larger family remains together? I.e., Rachel 
should not have expected for the family to be reunited anytime soon, and so 
there would be no opportunity nor any need for Ya'aqov to exercise the role 
of paterfamilias in Lavan's family.

-- 
Arie Folger
http://www.ariefolger.googlepages.com