[Avodah] Gentlemen and Ladies; Who Goes First?

[Joshua Meisner]

On Nov 29, 2007 2:18 PM, Micha Berger <micha at aishdas.org> wrote:
> Safety before kavod. It almost seems straightforward, if someone can
> explain why Rachel was in more danger from Eisav than the woman he
> could claim should have been his, and why Yosef saw a danger Yaaqov
> did not.

It seems logical that Eisav would be more attracted to the physical
Rachel than to the spiritual Leah.  The idly chattering townspeople in
Charan were discussing a theoretical arrangement that likely would
have made Eisav as disappointed as Leah would have been.

Perhaps Yaakov reasoned that once he was married to Rachel, she was
safe, while Yosef (the adversary of Eisav) knew better?  Even if Eisav
could not forcibly take her from Yaakov, his lecherous gaze could
still have some adverse effect on her (I vaguely recall hearing
someone mention such an ayin hara).

- Joshua