The Idols in the Saddle

The Torah tells that when Yaakov resolved to leave Charan, Lavan was away shearing his sheep. Rachel took the household idols that belonged to her father. Rashi, drawing on the Midrash, says her purpose was to wean Lavan away from idol worship.

Lavan pursued the family for seven days and caught up with them in the hills of Gilad. He accused Yaakov of stealing his gods. Yaakov, who knew nothing of what Rachel had done, answered with confidence that the one who took them would not live.

Lavan searched Yaakov's tent, then Leah's tent, then the tents of the two maidservants, and found nothing. At last he entered Rachel's tent. She had placed the idols in the camel's cushion and sat on them. She asked her father not to be angry that she could not rise before him, for she was not well, and Lavan rummaged through the tent and found nothing.

Chazal read the story with sorrow. In Bereishis Rabbah they say that Yaakov's words went forth like an error that comes from a ruler, and Rashi, quoting the Midrash, says that because of that oath Rachel died on the journey. A good intention, carried out in secret, still carried a heavy price, and the Torah records it without comment.