[Avodah] Was Lavan daft, dense or what?

[Daniel Eidensohn]

R' Arie Folger wrote:
> 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.
>
>   
Perhaps she did envision that her husband could be persuaded to become 
the family leader. Or perhaps she thought it could be a bargaining chip 
in negotiations against his future claims.

Daniel Eidensohn