[Avodah] Was Lavan daft, dense or what?

[Daniel Eidensohn]

There is a more direct answer to your question from archeology and 
anthropology. The household gods were not just objects of worship but 
their possession was also critical for authority and inheritance rights. 
It was equivalent to identity theft - losing the deed to the farm, 
stocks as well citizenship papers etc. Lavan's concern was not 
theological. That is perhaps why they were stolen in the first place.

Arie Folger wrote:
> Lavan benefited from an experience we all strive for, but know that, living in 
> times of hester panim, we cannot expect: direct revelation. Before reaching 
> Ya'aqov's camp, G"d appeared to Lavan and told him to abstain from talking to 
> Ya'aqov either good or bad.
>
> However, moments after relating that incident to Ya'aqov, he asks "lamah 
> ganavta et elohai?!" Is Lavan out of his mind? He just experienced 
> Revelation, and he asks for his idol?! How can he?
>
> I believe that the answer is obvious: reshaim, afilu 'al pit'hah shel gehinnam 
> einam 'hozrim bitshuvah. If Lavan wants AZ, he will justify AZ no matter what 
> the proofs against it, including miraculous revelation.
>
> Sometimes, we hope for a sign that will confirm our belief more than can be 
> expected in hester panim, if only to prove the atheist wrong. Purported 
> atheists often challenge  believers with the question why G"d doesn't show 
> himself more clearly. However, teaches the Torah, experience shows us that 
> such signs are usually irrelevant. Lavan, and in a different way, Dor 
> haMidbar, had proofs aplenty, yet, it didn't prevent them from sticking to 
> their heresies. Bederekh she'adam rotzeh leilekh, molikhin oto.
>
> KT & good week,
>