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<font size=3>The following is from RSRH's commentary on Bereishis 30: 27
- 30. <br><br>
</font><font size=4><b>27 </font><font size=3><i>Lavan said to him: Would
that I found favor in your eyes, for I have a presentiment that </i>God
<i>has blessed me for your sake.<br><br>
</i></font><font size=4>28 </font><font size=3><i>Then he said: Set your
wage from me and I will gladly give it.<br><br>
</i></font><font size=4>29 </font><font size=3><i>[Ya’akov] said to him:
You know very well how I have served you and what your property has
become with me.<br><br>
</i></font><font size=4>30 </font><font size=3><i>For the little that you
had before I came increased tremendously because </i>God <i>blessed you
according<br>
to my endeavor. And now, when will I, as well, provide for my
household?<br><br>
</i></b></font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>Lavan would very much
like to retain Ya’akov’s services, preferably for<br>
no other payment except his keep, as heretofore. Hence, he begins to<br>
speak in the manner that is typical of self-righteous hypocrites,
who<br>
affect piety. He does not admit that he would like to keep Ya’akov
because<br>
of the diligent services he has rendered. He knows that such actual<br>
things have to be paid for, and that he who praises them will pay a<br>
high price. For this reason he affects extreme piety (just as, today,
those<br>
who have cast off all genuine piety turn to superstition, imagining
that<br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3><i>Nechush</i></font>
<font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>, superstitious belief in omens, is
tantamount to piety). Lavan says<br>
to Ya’akov: I don’t like to let you go. There is no real reason for it,
but<br>
I have a </font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3><i>Nechush</i>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>(presentiment): It seems to
me that “<i>Hashem</i>,” Whom you serve,<br>
has blessed me for your sake, because you are such a pious man. I<br>
would not like to see such a pious man leave me.<br><br>
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