## Ramban on Genesis Chapter 30

###### Ramban on Genesis 30:1:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:1:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:1:1)

**הָבָה לִּי בָנִים** אָמְרוּ הַמְּפָרְשִׁים (רש"י וראב"ע), שֶׁתִּתְפַּלֵּל עָלַי, "וְאִם אַיִן מֵתָה אָנֹכִי", לְשׁוֹן רַשִׁ"י (רש"י על בראשית ל':א'), שֶׁמִּי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ בָּנִים חָשׁוּב כְּמֵת, וְהוּא מִדְרַשׁ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ (ב"ר עא ו). וַאֲנִי תָּמֵהַּ, אִם כֵּן לָמָּה חָרָה אַפּוֹ, וְלָמָּה אָמַר "הֲתַחַת אֱלֹהִים אָנֹכִי", וְשׁוֹמֵעַ אֶל צַדִּיקִים ה', וּמָה שֶׁאָמַר אַבָּא לֹא הָיוּ לוֹ בָּנִים אֲנִי יֵשׁ לִי בָּנִים, מִמֵּךְ מָנַע מִמֶּנִּי לֹא מָנַע, וְכִי הַצַּדִּיקִים אֵינָן מִתְפַּלְּלִים בְּעַד אֲחֵרִים, וְהִנֵּה אֵלִיָּהוּ וֶאֱלִישָׁע הִתְפַּלְּלוּ בְּעַד נָשִׁים נָכְרִיּוֹת (מ"א יז כא ושם ב ד טז). וְנִרְאֶה שֶׁבִּשְׁבִיל זֶה תְּפָסוּהוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ, אָמְרוּ בִּבְרֵאשִׁית רַבָּה (בראשית רבה ע"א:ז'), אָמַר לוֹ הקב"ה, כָּךְ עוֹנִין אֶת הַמְּעִיקוֹת, חַיֶּיךָ שֶׁבָּנֶיךָ עֲתִידִין לַעֲמֹד לִפְנֵי בְּנָהּ. וְעַל דֶּרֶךְ הַפְּשָׁט אָמְרָה רָחֵל לְיַעֲקֹב שֶׁיִּתֵּן לָהּ בָּנִים, וּבֶאֱמֶת דַּעְתָּהּ לֵאמֹר שֶׁיִּתְפַּלֵּל עָלֶיהָ, אֲבָל שֶׁיִּתְפַּלֵּל עָלֶיהָ עַד שֶׁיִּתֵּן לָהּ בָּנִים עַל כָּל פָּנִים, וְאִם אַיִן שֶׁתָּמִית עַצְמָהּ בְּצַעַר. דִּבְּרָה שֶׁלֹּא כַּהֹגֶן בְּקִנְאָתָהּ, וְחָשְׁבָה כִּי בְּאַהֲבָתוֹ אוֹתָהּ יִתְעַנֶּה יַעֲקֹב וְיִלְבַּשׁ שַׂק וָאֵפֶר וְיִתְפַּלֵּל עַד שֶׁיִּהְיוּ לָהּ בָּנִים שֶׁלֹּא תָּמוּת בְּצַעֲרָהּ:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
GIVE ME CHILDREN. The commentators⁹⁸ said that this means that Rachel asked Jacob to pray on her behalf. *Or else I die* — Rashi comments: “For one who is childless may be considered as dead.” This is a Midrash of our Rabbis.⁹⁹
But I wonder. If so, why was Jacob angry with her? And why did he say, *Am I in G-d’s stead?*¹⁰⁰ for G-d hearkens to the righteous.¹⁰¹ [I wonder concerning] that which Jacob said [to Rachel, as quoted in Rashi:¹⁰⁰ “You say that I should do as did my father, who prayed on behalf of Rebekah, but I am not circumstanced as my father was. My] father had no children at all. I, however, have children. It is from you that He had withheld children and not from me.” Do not the righteous pray on behalf of others? There were Elijah¹⁰² and Elisha¹⁰³ who prayed on behalf of strange women.
It would appear that on account of Jacob’s answer, our Rabbis took him to task, saying in Bereshith Rabbah:¹⁰⁴ “The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Jacob, ‘Is this the way to answer a woman who is oppressed by her barrenness? By your life! Your children are destined to stand before her son Joseph!’”
In line with the plain meaning of Scripture, Rachel asked of Jacob that he give her children, but her intent was truly to say that he should pray on her behalf and continue indeed to pray until G-d would, in any case, grant her children, and if not, she would mortify herself because of grief. In her envy she spoke improperly, thinking that because Jacob loved her he would fast, put on *sackcloth with ashes*,¹⁰⁵ and pray until she would have children, so that she should not die of her grief.

footnotes:
⁹⁸ Rashi and Ibn Ezra.
⁹⁹ Bereshith Rabbah 71:19.
¹⁰⁰ Verse 2 here.
¹⁰¹ See Psalms 69:34.
¹⁰⁰ Verse 2 here.
¹⁰² I Kings 18:21.
¹⁰³ II Kings 4:33.
¹⁰⁴ 71:10.
¹⁰⁵ Esther 4:1.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:2:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:2:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:2:1)

**וַיִּחַר אַף יַעֲקֹב** שֶׁאֵין תְּפִלַּת הַצַּדִּיקִים בְּיָדָם שֶׁתִּשָּׁמַע וְתֵעָנֶה עַל כָּל פָּנִים, וּבַעֲבוּר שֶׁדִּבְּרָה דֶּרֶךְ גַּעֲגוּעֵי הַנָּשִׁים הָאֲהוּבוֹת לְהַפְחִידוֹ בְּמִיתָתָהּ, חָרָה אַפּוֹ, וּלְכָךְ אָמַר לָהּ שֶׁאֵינוֹ בִּמְקוֹם אֱלֹהִים שֶׁיִּפְקֹד הָעֲקָרוֹת עַל כָּל פָּנִים, וְאֵינֶנּוּ חוֹשֵׁשׁ בַּדָּבָר כִּי מִמֶּנָּה נִמְנַע פְּרִי הַבֶּטֶן וְלֹא מִמֶּנּוּ, וְזֶה לְיַסֵּר אוֹתָהּ וּלְהַכְלִימָהּ. וְהִנֵּה הַצַּדֶּקֶת בִּרְאוֹתָהּ שֶׁלֹּא תּוּכַל לְהִסָּמֵךְ עַל תְּפִלַּת יַעֲקֹב, שָׁבָה לְהִתְפַּלֵּל עַל עַצְמָהּ אֶל שׁוֹמֵעַ צְעָקָה, וְזֶהוּ "וַיִּשְׁמַע אֵלֶיהָ אֱלֹהִים" (בראשית ל':כ"ב). וְאוּלַי נְתַקֵּן עַל דַּעַת רַבּוֹתֵינוּ כִּי יַעֲקֹב אִי אֶפְשָׁר שֶׁלֹּא נִתְפַּלֵּל עַל אִשְׁתּוֹ הָאֲהוּבָה כִּי עֲקָרָה הִיא, אֶלָּא שֶׁלֹּא נִתְקַבְּלָה תְּפִלָּתוֹ, וּבָאָה עַתָּה רָחֵל לְהִתְעוֹלֵל עָלָיו לֵאמֹר שֶׁיִּתֵּן לָהּ בָּנִים עַל כָּל פָּנִים בִּתְפִלָּתוֹ כִּי לֹא נוֹפֵל הוּא מֵאָבִיו שֶׁעָשָׂה כֵן, וַיִּחַר אַפּוֹ וְאָמַר לָהּ כִּי הַדָּבָר בְּיַד אֱלֹהִים וְלֹא בְּיָדוֹ, וְאָבִיו נִשְׁמְעָה תְּפִלָּתוֹ שֶׁהוּא צַדִּיק וְעָתִיד לִהְיוֹת לוֹ זֶרַע, אֲבָל הִיא נִמְנַע מִמֶּנָּה פְּרִי בֶּטֶן. וְנָכוֹן הוּא:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND JACOB’s ANGER WAS KINDLED. It is not in the power of the righteous that their prayer be heard and answered in any case, and because she spoke in the manner of yearning women who are loved, thus attempting to frighten him with her death, his anger was kindled. Therefore, he said to her that he is not in G-d’s stead that he should remember the barren ones by giving them children in any case, and he does not care about it since it is from her that children were withheld and not from him. He said this in order to admonish her and shame her. Now the righteous woman Rachel, seeing that she could not rely upon Jacob’s prayer, then went to pray on her own behalf to Him Who hears the cry of those in trouble. This is the sense of the verse, *And G-d hearkened to her*.¹⁰⁶
Perhaps we can rectify Jacob’s retort in consonance with the opinion of our Rabbis [who related that Jacob said to Rachel, “It is from you that He has withheld children and not from me,”] for it is impossible to think that Jacob did not pray on behalf of his beloved wife who was barren, however his prayer was not accepted.
Now Rachel came to him with a pretext saying that he should, in any case, give her children through his prayer for he is not of less stature than his father who did so. At this, his anger was kindled and he said to her that the matter is up to G-d and not to him, and that his father’s prayer was heard because he was a righteous man and was destined to have children, but here it is from her that He has withheld children. This is a correct interpretation.

footnotes:
¹⁰⁶ Further, Verse 22.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:5:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:5:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:5:1)

**וַתֵּלֶד לְיַעֲקֹב בֵּן** הִזְכִּיר בְּכָל הַשְּׁפָחוֹת "לְיַעֲקֹב" לְהַגִּיד כִּי הוּא חָפֵץ וּמוֹדֶה בָּהֶם, וְאֵינֶנּוּ נִקְרָא לוֹ בֶּן הָאָמָה רַק בֵּן לְיַעֲקֹב כִּבְנֵי הַגְּבִירוֹת הַמִּתְיַחֲסִים אֵלָיו. וְאָמַר בְּלֵאָה בֵּן חֲמִישִׁי וּבֵן שִׁשִּׁי לְיַעֲקֹב, בַּעֲבוּר רִבּוּי הַבָּנִים, לוֹמַר כִּי בְּכֻלָּן יַחְפֹּץ וְאֶת כֻּלָּם יְקָרֵב, וְלֹא הִזְכִּיר בָּרִאשׁוֹנִים כֵּן:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND SHE BORE ‘L’YAAKOV’ (TO JACOB) A SON. In the case of all the handmaids Scripture mentions the phrase, *to Jacob* [in connection with the birth of their children], in order to relate that Jacob desired and acknowledged them and that they were not called by him “sons of the handmaids,” but “sons of Jacob,” just like the sons of the mistresses who traced their lineage to him. In the case of the fifth and sixth sons of Leah it also says, *to Jacob*,¹⁰⁷, Verses 17 and 19. since due to her abundance of sons, Scripture deems it necessary to say that Jacob desired and befriended all of them. This is not mentioned in connection with the birth of the first [four sons of Leah because it is obvious that Jacob desired them].

footnotes:
¹⁰⁷ Ibid.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:9:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:9:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:9:1)

**וַתֵּרֶא לֵאָה כִּי עָמְדָה מִלֶּדֶת** לֹא יָדַעְתִּי מָה הַמַּעֲשֶׂה הַזֶּה לְלֵאָה, וְלָמָּה נָתְנָה שִׁפְחָתָהּ לְבַעְלָהּ וְהִיא לֹא הָיְתָה עֲקָרָה שֶׁתִּבָּנֶה מִמֶּנָּה, וְאֵין דֶּרֶךְ הַנָּשִׁים לְהַרְבּוֹת נָשִׁים לְבַעֲלֵיהֶן. אֲבָל נִצְטָרֵךְ לוֹמַר כִּי הָיוּ נְבִיאוֹת (ב"ר עב ו), יוֹדְעוֹת שֶׁעָתִיד יַעֲקֹב לְהַעֲמִיד י"ב שְׁבָטִים, וְרָצְתָה שֶׁיִּהְיוּ לוֹ רֹב הַבָּנִים מִמֶּנָּה אוֹ מִשִּׁפְחָתָהּ שֶׁהִיא בִּרְשׁוּתָהּ, וְלֹא תִּתְגַּבֵּר אֲחוֹתָהּ עָלֶיהָ בְּבָנִים. וּלְכָךְ אָמְרָה "נָתַן אֱלֹהִים שְׂכָרִי אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי שִׁפְחָתִי לְאִישִׁי" (ראה זוהר ויצא קנז), וְכֵן יַעֲקֹב בַּעֲבוּר זֶה שָׁמַע אֵלֶיהָ שֶׁיַּעֲמִיד בָּנִים רַבִּים, כִּי יָדַע כֵּן כְּדִבְרֵי רַבּוֹתֵינוּ (ב"ר סח יא). וְיִתָּכֵן כִּי מִדַּעְתָּם שֶׁנִּתְּנָה הָאָרֶץ לְזַרְעָם, וְאַבְרָהָם וְיִצְחָק לֹא הִרְבּוּ בָּנִים, הָיָה חָפֵץ יַעֲקֹב בְּנָשִׁים רַבּוֹת לְהַרְבּוֹת זַרְעוֹ לִנְחֹל אֶת הָאָרֶץ, כִּי דּוֹר רְבִיעִי יָשׁוּבוּ הֵנָּה. וְלָכֵן רָצְתָה לִתֵּן לוֹ שִׁפְחָתָהּ שֶׁלֹּא יִשָּׂא נָכְרִית:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
WHEN LEAH SAW THAT SHE HAD LEFT OFF BEARING SHE TOOK ZILPAH HER HANDMAID, etc. I do not know what motivated this deed of Leah and why she gave her handmaid to her husband for she was not barren that she should hope to have children through Zilpah, and it is not natural for women to increase the number of their husbands’ wives. We must, however, say that the matriarchs were prophetesses,¹⁰⁸ who knew that Jacob was destined to establish twelve tribes, and Leah desired that the majority of his sons be from her or from her handmaid, who was in her power, so that her sister Rachel would not prevail over her with respect to the number of her sons. Therefore, she said, *G-d hath given me my share, because I have given my handmaid to my husband*.¹⁰⁹ Jacob also came unto her on account of this, i.e., that he raise many sons for he knew it to be so, as our Rabbis have said.¹¹⁰
It is possible that knowing that the Land had been given to their children, and realizing that Abraham and Isaac had not had many children, Jacob wanted to have many wives in order to increase his progeny so as to inherit the Land, for *a fourth generation shall come hither again*,¹¹¹ and so Leah wanted to give him her handmaid so that he would not wed a stranger.

footnotes:
¹⁰⁸ Bereshith Rabbah, end of Chapter 72.
¹⁰⁹ Verse 18 here.
¹¹⁰ Bereshith Rabbah 70:17. Jacob was also aware that he was destined to establish twelve tribes.
¹¹¹ Above, 15:16.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:14:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:14:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:14:1)

**דּוּדָאִים** סִיגְלֵי (סנהדרין צט) וּבִלְשׁוֹן יִשְׁמָעֵאל יַאסְמִין, כָּךְ מָצָאתִי בְּפֵרוּשׁ רַשִׁ"י (רש"י על בראשית ל':י"ד). וְאֵינוֹ כֵן, כִּי יַאסְמִין בִּלְשׁוֹן עַרָבִי כָּךְ שְׁמוֹ בְּדִבְרֵי רַבּוֹתֵינוּ, כִּדְאָמְרִינַן בְּפֶרֶק בַּמֶּה טוֹמְנִין (שבת נ) הַאי כֻּסְפָּא דְּיַאסְמִין שָׁרִי. וְסִגְלֵי אוֹמְרִים שֶׁהֵם "כְּנִפְסָגָא" שֶׁאָמְרוּ בָּהֶן (ברכות מג) מְבָרְכִין עֲלֵיהֶם בּוֹרֵא עִשְׂבֵי בְּשָׂמִים. אֲבָל אֵין זְמַנָּם בִּימֵי קְצִיר חִטִּים, אוּלַי מְצָאָם שָׁם בְּמִקְרֶה. וְהָרָאוּי לְקַבֵּל בַּדּוּדָאִים דַּעַת אוּנְקְלוֹס (תרגום אונקלוס על בראשית ל':י"ד) שֶׁתִּרְגֵּם בָּהֶן "יַבְרוּחִין". וּבִבְרֵאשִׁית רַבָּה (בראשית רבה ע"ב:ב') גַּם כֵּן ר' חִיָּא ב"ר אַבָּא אָמַר יַבְרוּחִין, וְהֵן יַבְרוּח בִּלְשׁוֹן עֲרָבִי. וְכָתַב רַבִּי אַבְרָהָם (אבן עזרא על בראשית ל':י"ד) דּוּדָאִים אָמַר הַמְתַרְגֵּם יַבְרוּחִין, וְכָךְ יִקָּרְאוּ בִּלְשׁוֹן יִשְׁמָעֵאל, וְיֵשׁ לָהֶן רֵיחַ טוֹב, וְכֵן כָּתוּב (שיר השירים ז יד) "הַדּוּדָאִים נָתְנוּ רֵיחַ", וְהֵם עַל צוּרַת בֶּן אָדָם כִּי יֵשׁ לָהֶן דְּמוּת רֹאשׁ וְיָדַיִם, וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים כִּי יוֹעִילוּ לְהֵרָיוֹן, וְאָנֹכִי לֹא יָדַעְתִּי בַּעֲבוּר שֶׁתּוֹלַדְתָּם קָרָה, אֵלּוּ דְּבָרָיו. וְהַנָּכוֹן כִּי רָצְתָה בָּהֶן לְהִשְׁתַּעֲשֵׁעַ וּלְהִתְעַנֵּג בְּרֵיחָן, כִּי בַּתְּפִלָּה נִפְקְדָה רָחֵל לֹא בְּדֶרֶךְ הָרְפוּאוֹת, וּרְאוּבֵן הֵבִיא עַנְפֵי הַדּוּדָאִים אוֹ הַפְּרִי וְהוּא כִּדְמוּת תַּפּוּחִים וְלָהֶם רֵיחַ טוֹב, אֲבָל הַשֹּׁרֶשׁ וְהוּא הֶעָשׂוּי בְּצוּרַת רֹאשׁ וְיָדַיִם לֹא הֵבִיא, וְהַשֹּׁרֶשׁ הוּא שֶׁאוֹמְרִים עָלָיו הָאֲנָשִׁים שֶׁיּוֹעִיל לְהֵרָיוֹן, וְאִם הַדָּבָר אֱמֶת הוּא בִּסְגֻלָּה בָּהֶם, לֹא בְּטִבְעָם, אֲבָל לֹא רָאִיתִי כֵן בְּאֶחָד מִסִּפְרֵי הָרְפוּאוֹת הַמְּדַבְּרִים בָּהֶם:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
‘DUDA’IM.’ These are *‘sigli’* (violets). In Arabic it is called *jasmin*. So I found in Rashi’s commentary. But this is not so for the Arabic jasmin bears the same name in the words of our Rabbis, as they say in the chapter *Bameh Tomnin:*¹¹² “Poppy pomace flavored with jasmin may be used [as a lotion on the Sabbath],” while they say *sigli* is an odorous herb concerning which they have said¹¹³ that on smelling it, one recites the blessing: “Blessed art Thou… who createst odorous plants.” However, their season is not *in the days of the wheat*, but perhaps Reuben found them there by chance. It is best to accept Onkelos’ opinion concerning the translation of *duda’im*, which he rendered as *yavruchin* (mandrakes). In Bereshith Rabbah¹¹⁴ it is also explained similarly: “Rabbi Chiya the son of Rabbi Abba said, ‘*Yavruchin*,’” and these are *yavruach* in Arabic.
Now Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra wrote: “Onkelos translated *duda’im* as ‘mandrakes,’ and so they are called in Arabic. They have a good odor. And it is so written: *The mandrakes give forth fragrance*.¹¹⁵ They resemble the human form as they have the shape of the human head and hands. Now some say that they are an aid to pregnancy, but I do not know it since their effect is to produce the cold fluid in the body.” These are Ibn Ezra’s words.
The correct interpretation is that Rachel wanted the *duda’im* for delight and pleasure, for Rachel was visited with children through prayer, not by medicinal methods. And Reuben brought the branches of *duda’im* or the fruit, which resemble apples and have a good odor. The stem, however, which is shaped in the form of the human head and hands, he did not bring, and it is the stem which people say is an aid to pregnancy. And if the matter be true, it is by some peculiar effect, not by its natural quality. But I have not seen it thus in any of the medicinal books discussing mandrakes.

footnotes:
¹¹² “With What May They Cover Up” hot food, the fourth chapter in Tractate Shabbath. 50b.
¹¹³ Berachoth 43b.
¹¹⁴ 72:2.
¹¹⁵ Song of Songs 7:14.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:15:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:15:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:15:1)

**הַמְעַט קַחְתֵּךְ אֶת אִישִׁי** הַטַּעַם הַמְעַט מִמֵּךְ שֶׁתִּקְחִי לָךְ אֶת אִישִׁי כְּאִלּוּ אַתְּ אִשְׁתּוֹ וַאֲנִי הָאָמָה, אַף כִּי תַּעֲשִׂי עַצְמֵךְ גְּבֶרֶת לָקַחַת הַדּוּדָאִים אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי מִתְעַנֶּגֶת בְּרֵיחָן. וְיִתָּכֵן שֶׁרָצְתָה בָּהֶן לִכְבוֹד יַעֲקֹב לְבַשֵּׂם בָּהֶם יְצוּעָיו כִּי דֶּרֶךְ נָשִׁים לָהּ, כְּעִנְיָן שֶׁכָּתוּב (משלי ז יז) "נַפְתִּי מִשְׁכָּבִי מֹר אֲהָלִים וְקִנָּמוֹן", וְלָכֵן אָמְרָה לֵאָה הַמְעַט קַחְתֵּךְ אֶת אִישִׁי מִמֶּנִּי אַף כִּי תִּקְחִי דּוּדָאֵי בְּנִי לְפַתּוֹתוֹ בָּהֶם. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים הַדּוּדָאִים עֲשָׂבִים יוֹסִיפוּ הַתַּאֲוָה לַנָּשִׁים, נִגְזַר מִלְּשׁוֹן "עֵת דּוֹדִים" (יחזקאל טז ח), וְלָכֵן אָמְרָה לֵאָה הַמְעַט קַחְתֵּךְ אֶת אִישִׁי כַּאֲשֶׁר הִזְכַּרְתִּי:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
IS IT A SMALL MATTER THAT THOU HAST TAKEN AWAY MY HUSBAND? The intent thereof is as follows: “Is it a small matter that you take my husband unto yourself as if you are his wife and I am the handmaid? Will you now also make yourself the mistress to take the mandrakes in whose odor I delight?”
It is possible that Rachel wanted the mandrakes in honor of Jacob to perfume his couch. Leah had done in the customary way of women, just as it is written, *I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon*.¹¹⁶ Therefore, Leah said, *Is it a small matter that thou hast taken away my husband* from me that you now also take my son’s mandrakes to win him over with them?
And some scholars say¹¹⁷ that *duda’im* are herbs, which act as a male aphrodisiac, the word being derived from the expression, *the time of ‘dodim’ (love)*.¹¹⁸ Therefore Leah said, *Is it a small matter that thou hast taken away my husband?* as I have mentioned.

footnotes:
¹¹⁶ Proverbs 7:17.
¹¹⁷ I have not been able to identify them. However, see R’dak.
¹¹⁸ Ezekiel 16:8.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:20:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:20:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:20:1)

**זְבָדַנִי אֱלֹהִים אֹתִי זֵבֶד טוֹב** לֹא מָצְאוּ לַמִּלָּה הַזֹּאת מוֹצָא בִּלְשׁוֹן הַקֹּדֶשׁ. וְיִתָּכֵן שֶׁנֹּאמַר שֶׁהִיא מִלָּה מֻרְכֶּבֶת "זֶה בַּד", כְּמִלַּת מַדּוּעַ וּמִלַּת בָּגָד (בראשית ל':י"א) בַּכְּתִיבָה, וְהַסֶּגוֹל וְהַפַּתָּח מוּמָרִים בִּמְקוֹמוֹת רַבִּים, וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן בַּמִּלּוֹת הַמֻּרְכָּבוֹת. וְכֵן מִלַּת צַלְמָוֶת וּמִלַּת בִּלְעָדַי. וְיָצְאָה מִלְּשׁוֹן בַּדִּים, "בַּדֵּי עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים" (שמות כה יג), "וַתַּעַשׂ בַּדִּים וַתְּשַׁלַּח פֹּארוֹת" (יחזקאל יז ו), כִּי עַנְפֵי הָאִילָן הַגַּסִּים נִקְרָאִים כֵּן. וְהִשְׁאִילוּהָ לְבָנִים, "יֹאכַל בַּדָּיו בְּכוֹר מָוֶת" (איוב יח יג) "לֹא כֵן בַּדָּיו" (ישעיהו טז ו). וְלָכֵן אָמְרָה לֵאָה כִּי עָשָׂה לָהּ הָאֱלֹהִים זֶה הַבֵּן בַּד טוֹב לִהְיוֹת בַּעְלָהּ מִתְלוֹנֵן בְּצִלָּהּ, כִּי יִזְבְּלֵנִי בְּצִלִּי, וְכֵן "בָּנֹה בָנִיתִי בֵּית זְבֻל לָךְ" (מלכים א ח יג) לְהִתְלוֹנֵן בְּצִלּוֹ, וְלִכְבוֹד עֶלְיוֹן יֹאמַר כֵּן, כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמַר (שם בפסוק כז) "הִנֵּה הַשָּׁמַיִם וּשְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם לֹא יְכַלְכְּלוּךָ אַף כִּי הַבַּיִת הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר בָּנִיתִי". וְכֵן "שֶׁמֶשׁ יָרֵחַ עָמַד זְבֻלָה" (חבקוק ג יא), עָמַד בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁיִּתְלוֹנָן בּוֹ. כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמַר "לַשֶּׁמֶשׁ שָׂם אֹהֶל בָּהֶם" (תהלים יט ה) וְאוּנְקְלוֹס (תרגום אונקלוס על בראשית ל':כ') תִּרְגֵּם זֶבֶד טוֹב "חֻלַּק טָב", וְלֹא הֲבִינוֹתִי סְבָרָתוֹ עַד שֶׁרָאִיתִי (בתרגום הירושלמי) בְּתַרְגּוּם יוֹנָתָן "זַוֵּד יָתִי מֵימְרָא דַּה' זְוָדִין טָבִין", וְלָמַדְתִּי שֶׁעָשׂוּ הַמִּלָּה כְּאִלּוּ כְּתוּבָה בְּוָ"ו, וְטָפְלוּ אוֹתָהּ אֶל לְשׁוֹן הָאֲרָמִית שֶׁמְּתַרְגְּמִין צֵדָה "זְוָדִין" (תרגום אונקלוס על בראשית מ"ב:כ"ה). אָמְרָה שֶׁהַבֵּן הַזֶּה עֲשָׂאוֹ הַשֵּׁם לָהּ צֵדָה טוֹבָה וְחֵלֶק טוֹב, כִּי בַּעְלָהּ יִהְיֶה עִקַּר דִּירָתוֹ עִמָּהּ לְרֹב בָּנֶיהָ, תִּתְפַּרְנֵס עִמּוֹ בַּטּוֹב לוֹ. וְהַוָּ"ו וְהַבֵּי"ת יִשְׁתַּוּוּ בִּלְשׁוֹנֵנוּ בִּמְקוֹמוֹת רַבִּים, כְּמוֹ תַּאֲוָה וְתַאֲבָה (תהלים קיט כ), "גֵּוִי נָתַתִּי לְמַכִּים" (ישעיהו נ ו), "עַל גַּבִּי חָרְשׁוּ חוֹרְשִׁים" (תהלים קכט ג), וְכֵן "לְקִצְבֵי הָרִים יָרַדְתִּי" (יונה ב ז), כְּמוֹ לְקַצְוֵי, וְכֵן "לַפַּרְבָּר לַמַּעֲרָב אַרְבָּעָה" (דברי הימים א כו יח), יֹאמְרוּ מִמֶּנּוּ פַּרְוָר, דִּכְתִיב (מלכים ב כג יא) "אֶל לִשְׁכַּת נְתַן מֶלֶךְ הַסָּרִיס אֲשֶׁר בַּפַּרְוָרִים" וּפֵרוּשׁ שְׁנֵיהֶם מָה שֶׁהוּא מִקִּיר הַחוֹמָה לַחוּצָה, "וּמִגְרָשׁ לֶעָרִים" (במדבר לה ב) תַּרְגּוּם יְרוּשַׁלְמִי "וּפַרְוָר", וְכֵן תַּרְגּוּם יוֹנָתָן "מִגְרָשׁוֹת" (יחזקאל כז כח), וּבַמִּשְׁנָה מְלֹא תַּרְוָד, תַּרְבָד (נזיר מט אהלות פ"ב מ"א), בְּטַבְלָא שֶׁאֵין לָהּ לְבִזְבֵּז (פסחים מח), בִּמְקוֹמוֹת שׁוֹנִין מִמֶּנּוּ "לִזְבֵּז" (כלים פ"ב מ"ג מקואות פ"ד מ"ב), וּבִמְקוֹמוֹת שׁוֹנִין מִמֶּנּוּ "לִזְוֵיז", אִצְטְבָא (פסחים יא), "אִיצְטְוָא" (עירובין עז ויומא מט לפי גירסת הערוך), וְכֵן כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן הַרְבֵּה. וְנָהֲגוּ בַּיְּרוּשַׁלְמִי (כלאים פ"ה הכ"ט יבמות פ"ז ה"ח ועוד) "אֲבִיר" בְּבֵי"ת בְּמָקוֹם וָ"ו, שֶׁאֵינָם מַקְפִּידִים בְּכָךְ:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
G-D HATH ‘Z’VADANI’ (ENDOWED) ME WITH A GOOD ‘ZEVED’ (DOWRY). The commentators have not found the source of this word in the Sacred Language.
We could perhaps say that *zeved* is a composite word formed from *zeh bad*, just as is the word *madua*, [which is composed of the two words, *mah dua*, meaning “what is the opinion of this matter” or simply “why”] or the word *bagad*¹¹⁹ in its written form. [It is read, however, as two words: *ba gad* (good luck cometh.)] Since the vowel signs *segol* and *patach* interchange in many places, particularly in composite words, [the second *segol* in *zeved* could have come from the *patach* of *bad: zeh bad*]. So also in the word *tzalmaveth*, [which consists of the two words: *tzeil maveth* (the shade of death)], and the word *biladai*, [composed of *bal ad* (except unto, except unto me, or except me)]. And the second part (*bad*) of the word *zeved* comes from the word *badim* (branches), as in, *‘badei’ (staves) of accacia-wood;*¹²⁰ *And it brought forth ‘badim’ (branches), and shot forth sprigs*.¹²¹ The thick branches of a tree are called *badim*, and then the word was appropriated to mean “children,” as in, *The first-born of death shall devour ‘badav’ (his sons);*¹²² *His ill-founded ‘badav’ (sons)*.¹²³, etc. Therefore Leah said that this son whom G-d had given her would be a good son for he will cause her husband to reside in her shadow, as “he will now *‘yizbleini’ (dwell with me)* in my shadow.” Similarly, *I have surely built Thee a house ‘z’vul’ (of habitation)*,¹²⁴ meaning “in order to abide in His shadow.” This was said in this fashion out of respect for the Supreme One, just as Solomon said, *Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee, how much less this house that I have builded!*¹²⁵, Verse 27. Likewise, *The sun and moon stand still ‘z’vulah’ (in their habitation)*,¹²⁶ meaning “stand still in the place where they abide,” as it is said, *In them* [the heavens] *hath He set a tent for the sun*.¹²⁷
Now Onkelos translated *zeved tov* as a good portion. I did not understand his reasoning until I saw in the Jerusalem Targum:¹²⁸ (translations) of the Pentateuch are *Onkelos, Yonathan*, and *Yerushalmi*. The latter has not reached us in its entirety. “The word of G-d has outfitted me (*zavad*) with good provision.” [*Zavad* is written here with two *vavim* instead of the *beth* with which the word *zeved* is written in the Torah.] From this I learned that both Onkelos and the Jerusalem Targum considered the word *zeved* of the Torah, which is spelled with the letter *beth*, as if it were written with the letter *vav*, and they connected it to the Aramaic language which translates the Hebrew word *tzeidah* (provision) as *zvadim* (provisions). Leah thus said that G-d had made this son a good provision and a good portion for her because her husband, due to her many children, will now live mainly with her, and thus she will be supported together with him when it is well with him. The *vav* and the *beth* are used interchangeably in our language in many places, such as: *ta’avah* (desire) written with a *vav*,¹²⁹ and *ta’avah*, written with a *beth;*¹³⁰ *geivi (My back)* — [written with a *vav*] — *I have given to the smiters*,¹³¹ and, *Upon ‘gabi’ (my back)* — [written with a *beth*] — *the plowers plowed*.¹³² So also, *‘Lekitzvei’ (To the bottoms)* — [written with a *beth*] — *of the mountains I went down*,¹³³ is as if it were written, *lekitzvei* with a *vav*. Also, *‘Laparbor’ (For the precinct)* — [written with a *beth*] — *westward, four at the causeway*,¹³⁴ serves as the basis of the word *parvor*, written with a *vav*, as it is written, *By the chamber of Nethan-melech the officer, which was ‘baparvorim’ (in the precincts)*,¹³⁵ written with a *vav*, and the meaning of both forms, [whether written with a *beth* or *vav*] is the Court which is outside the wall. *‘Umigrash’ (And open land) round about the cities*,¹³⁶ is rendered by the Jerusalem Targum as, *uparvor*. And so did the Jonathan Targum translate *migrashoth* (open lands) as *parvoraya*.¹³⁷ In the Mishnah we also find the *vav* and the *beth* interchange: “A *tarvad* (spoon)-full,” written with a *vav*,¹³⁸ and in some editions it is written, *tarbad*, with a *beth*; “A board which has no *levizbeiz* (edges),” written with a *beth*,¹³⁹ and in certain places they use the word *lizbeiz*, written with a *beth*,¹⁴⁰ while in other places they use *lizveiz* written with a *vav*.¹⁴¹ Also, *itztaba* (a balcony), written with a *beth*,¹⁴² and *itztava*, written with a *vav*,¹⁴³ and many other similar words. In the Jerusalem Talmud they also write *avir* (space)¹⁴¹ with a *beth* in place of the usual *vav*, as they were not particular about that.

footnotes:
¹¹⁹ Verse 11 here.
¹²⁰ Exodus 25:13.
¹²¹ Ezekiel 17:6.
¹²² Job 18:13.
¹²³ Isaiah 16:6. See Rashi there, who explains the verse as follows: for most of Moab’s sons are illegitimate
¹²⁴ I Kings 8:13.
¹²⁵ Ibid.
¹²⁶ Habakkuk 3:11.
¹²⁷ Psalms 19:5.
¹²⁸ Found in our Targum Yonathan. The traditional Targumim
¹²⁹ Above, 3:6.
¹³⁰ Psalms 119:20.
¹³¹ Isaiah 50:6.
¹³² Psalms 129:3.
¹³³ Jonah 2:7.
¹³⁴ I Chronicles 26:18.
¹³⁵ II Kings 23:11.
¹³⁶ Numbers 35:2.
¹³⁷ Ezekiel 27:28.
¹³⁸ Nazir VII, 2.
¹³⁹ Pesachim 48b.
¹⁴⁰ Kelim II, 3.
¹⁴¹ Source is unknown to me.
¹⁴² Shabbath 7a.
¹⁴³ Eirubin 77b.
¹⁴¹ Source is unknown to me.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:23:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:23:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:23:1)

**אָסַף אֱלֹהִים אֶת חֶרְפָּתִי** הִכְנִיסָהּ בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁלֹּא תֵרָאֶה, וְכֵן "וְלֹא יֵאָסֵף הַבַּיְתָה" (שמות ט יט), "וְכוֹכָבִים אָסְפוּ נָגְהָם" (יואל ב י), "וִירֵחֵךְ לֹא יֵאָסֵף" (ישעיהו ס כ), לֹא יִטָּמֵן, לְשׁוֹן רַשִׁ"י (רש"י על בראשית ל':כ"ג). וְרַבִּי אַבְרָהָם אָמַר (אבן עזרא על בראשית ל':כ"ג) כְּטַעַם כָּרַת, "וְנֶאֶסְפָה שִׂמְחָה וָגִיל". וְהַנָּכוֹן דַּעַת אוּנְקְלוֹס (תרגום אונקלוס על בראשית ל':כ"ג) שֶׁעֲשָׂאָן כֻּלָּן לְשׁוֹן קִבּוּץ וְכִנּוּס כִּפְשׁוּטָם, מִלְּשׁוֹן "וַיַּאַסְפוּ אֶת הַשְּׂלָו" (במדבר יא לב), "כִּי מְאַסְפָיו יֹאכְלוּהוּ" (ישעיהו סב ט), וְנִקְרֵאת הַמִּיתָה אֲסִיפָה בִּהְיוֹתוֹ נִקְבָּץ אֶל אֲבוֹתָיו הַמֵּתִים, "וְלֹא יֵאָסֵף הַבַּיְתָה" לְהִקָּבֵץ לְאַנְשֵׁי בֵיתוֹ, וְ"אָסְפוּ נָגְהָם", שֶׁקִּבְּצוּ הָאוֹר בְּתוֹכָם וְלֹא הוֹצִיאוּ אוֹרָם לַחוּץ, אוֹ שֶׁנֶּאֶסְפוּ אֶל הָאֹהֶל אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם. וְיֹאמְרוּ אֲסִיפָה בַּחֶרְפָּה, שֶׁתִּתְקַבֵּץ וְלֹא תִּתְפַּזֵּר בֵּין בְּנֵי אָדָם לִהְיוֹת נִדְבָּרִים בָּהּ עוֹד בַּחוּצוֹת:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
G-D ‘OSAPH’ (HATH TAKEN AWAY) MY DISGRACE. I.e., “He has laid it up somewhere where it cannot be seen.” Similar examples are: *And it shall not ‘yei’aseph’ (have been taken away) into the house;*¹⁴⁴ *And the stars ‘asphu’ (withdraw) their shining;*¹⁴⁵ *Neither shall thy moon ‘yei’aseph’ (withdraw itself)*,¹⁴⁶ meaning it shall not hide itself. This is the language of Rashi. But Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra said that *asaph* has the same meaning as “vanish,” as in, *‘Vene’esaph’ (And vanish) will joy and gladness*.¹⁴⁷, 16:10.
The correct opinion is that of Onkelos, who made them all expressions of gathering and assembling, as is their plain sense, derived from the verses: *‘Vaya’asphu’ (And they gathered) the quails;*¹⁴⁸ *But ‘me’asphav’ (they who have garnered it) shall eat it*.¹⁴⁹ Death is called *asiphah*¹⁵⁰ because the dying person is gathered to his dead ancestors. *And it shall not ‘yei’aseph’ into the house*¹⁴⁴ means to be gathered to his household. *And the stars ‘asphu’ their shining*¹⁴⁵ means that they will gather the light within them and not give forth their light outside, or that they will be gathered into their tent, which is in the firmament of the heaven.¹⁵¹ The word *asiphah* is used in connection with disgrace, meaning that the disgraced person should be gathered and not spread among people, i.e., to be discussed further in the streets.

footnotes:
¹⁴⁴ Exodus 9:19.
¹⁴⁵ Joel 2:10.
¹⁴⁶ Isaiah 60:20.
¹⁴⁷ Ibid.
¹⁴⁸ Numbers 11:32.
¹⁴⁹ Isaiah 62:9.
¹⁵⁰ Above, 25:8.
¹⁴⁴ Exodus 9:19.
¹⁴⁵ Joel 2:10.
¹⁵¹ See Psalms 19:5, mentioned above, Note 127


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:27:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:27:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:27:1)

**נִחַשְׁתִּי וַיְבָרֲכֵנִי ה' בִּגְלָלֶךָ** בַּעֲבוּרְךָ וּבִזְכוּתְךָ כִּי אִישׁ צַדִּיק אַתָּה. וּלְשׁוֹן "נִחַשְׁתִּי" – נִסִּיתִי, וְכָל נַחַשׁ נִסָּיוֹן. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים (ראב"ע) שֶׁהָיָה מְנַחֵשׁ בִּתְרָפִים. וְיַעֲקֹב אָמַר "וַיְבָרֶךְ ה' אֹתְךָ לְרַגְלִי", לֹא רָצָה לוֹמַר "בִּגְלָלִי" דֶּרֶךְ עֲנָוָה, וְאָמַר לְרַגְלִי כִּי מֵעֵת שֶׁבָּא רַגְלִי בְּבֵיתְךָ הָיִיתָ מִתְבָּרֵךְ:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
‘NICHASHTI’ I HAVE OBSERVED THE SIGNS AND THE ETERNAL HATH BLESSED ME FOR THY SAKE. That is, “on account of you and your merit for you are a righteous man.” The word *nichashti* means “I have tested,” and every form of *nichesh* connotes testing. And some say¹⁵² that Laban was a diviner with teraphim.¹⁵³
Jacob, however, said, *And the Eternal hath blessed thee ‘leragli’ (since my coming)*,¹⁵⁴ but, in a humble manner, he did not want to say “for my sake.” Thus, he said *leragli*, meaning that “from the time I set my foot in your house, you have been blessed.”

footnotes:
¹⁵² Ibn Ezra.
¹⁵³ See Ramban further, 31:19.
¹⁵⁴ Verse 30 here.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:29:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:29:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:29:1)

**וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר הָיָה מִקְנְךָ אִתִּי** אֶת חֶשְׁבּוֹן מִעוּט מִקְנְךָ שֶׁבָּא לְיָדִי כַּמָּה הָיָה, לְשׁוֹן רַשִׁ"י (רש"י על בראשית ל':כ"ט). כְּלוֹמַר אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ כַּמָּה הָיָה מִקְנְךָ כְּשֶׁבָּאוּ אִתִּי. וְיוֹתֵר רָאוּי שֶׁיֹּאמַר וְאֶת מִקְנְךָ אֲשֶׁר הָיָה אִתִּי יָדַעְתָּ, כִּי מְעַט אֲשֶׁר הָיָה לְךָ טֶרֶם בּוֹאִי וַיִּפְרֹץ לָרֹב. אוֹ נְפָרֵשׁ אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֵת אֲשֶׁר עֲבַדְתִּיךָ, כִּי בְּכָל כֹּחִי עָשִׂיתִי, וְיָדַעְתָּ אֵת אֲשֶׁר הָיָה מִקְנְךָ אִתִּי, כִּי יָמִים רַבִּים הֵם, וְיָדַעְתָּ כִּי מְעַט אֲשֶׁר הָיָה לְךָ לְפָנַי וַיִּפְרֹץ לָרֹב שֶׁלֹּא כְּדֶרֶךְ כָּל הָאָרֶץ, רַק בִּרְכַּת ה' הִיא אֲשֶׁר בָּאָה מֵעֵת בֹּא רַגְלִי בְּבֵיתְךָ, וְהוּא הַנָּכוֹן:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND HOW THY CATTLE HAVE FARED WITH ME. “You know the number of your few cattle that were entrusted to me at first.” These are Rashi’s words. That is to say, “You know how few your cattle were when they were entrusted to me.” But according to Rashi’s interpretation, it would have been more proper had he said, “and your cattle which were with me:” you know *for it was little which thou hadst* before I came, *and it hath increased abundantly*.¹⁵⁴ Or, we shall explain: “*Thou knowest how I have served thee* since I have done it with all my strength, and thou knowest *how thy cattle have fared with me*, for a long time has passed since then, and thou knowest *for it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it hath increased abundantly*, in an unnatural way. It is only *The blessing of the Eternal* [that] *maketh rich*,¹⁵⁵ which came from the time I set foot in your house.” This is the correct interpretation.

footnotes:
¹⁵⁴ Verse 30 here.
¹⁵⁵ Proverbs 10:22.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:30:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:30:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:30:1)

**אֶעֱשֶׂה גַם אָנֹכִי לְבֵיתִי** עַכְשָׁו אֵין עוֹשִׂין לְצָרְכִּי אֶלָּא בָּנַי וְצָרִיךְ אֲנִי לִהְיוֹת עוֹשֶׂה עִמָּהֶם לְסָמְכָן, וְזֶהוּ גַּם לְשׁוֹן רַשִׁ"י (רש"י על בראשית ל':ל'). וְלֹא מָצָאנוּ שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לְיַעֲקֹב צֹאן, וְלֹא שֶׁיִּרְעוּ אוֹתָן בָּנָיו הַקְּטַנִּים, וְהַגָּדוֹל שֶׁבָּהֶם בֶּן שֵׁשׁ שָׁנִים אוֹ פָּחוֹת, כִּי לָבָן יִתָּכֵן שֶׁהָיוּ לוֹ בָּנִים קְטַנִּים מֵרָחֵל בְּטֶרֶם בֹּא יַעֲקֹב, וְעַתָּה הֵם רְאוּיִים לִרְעוֹת הַצֹּאן. וְאוּלַי עַל נָשָׁיו וְעַל עֲבָדָיו אָמַר שֶׁהָיוּ עוֹשִׂים לוֹ בַּמְּלָאכָה. וְאֵין כָּל זֶה נָכוֹן, אֲבָל פֵּרוּשׁ "מָתַי אֶעֱשֶׂה גַם אָנֹכִי לְבֵיתִי", מָתַי אֶעֱשֶׂה אָנֹכִי גַּם לְבֵיתִי כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתִי גַּם לְבֵיתְךָ. וְכֵן "וַיֶּאֱהַב גַּם אֶת רָחֵל מִלֵּאָה" (בראשית כ"ט:ל'), וְגַם אָהַב אֶת רָחֵל מִלֵּאָה, וְכֵן "גַּם אֹתְכָה הָרַגְתִּי" (במדבר כב לג), גַּם הָרַגְתִּי אוֹתְךָ, וְרַבִּים כֵּן:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
WHEN SHALL I PROVIDE ‘GAM’ (ALSO) FOR MINE OWN HOUSE? “At present, my sons alone provide for my needs, but I also ought to work together with them and assist them.” This is the force of the word *gam* (also). These are Rashi’s words. But we do not find that Jacob had his own sheep, nor do we find mentioned anywhere that his young children — the oldest of whom was six years or less — tended them. It was possible that before Jacob came, Laban had children younger than Rachel¹⁵⁶ [Jacob] *heard the words of Laban’s sons*, (further, 31:1). We must say that these sons were born to him after Jacob came. and now they were fit to tend the flock. [However, Jacob’s children were still very young.] Perhaps Jacob referred to his wives and servants, who he said did his work for him. But all this is not correct. The meaning of, *When shall I provide also for mine house?* is: “When shall I provide for my house just as I have also done for your house.” Similarly, *And he loved also Rachel from Leah*,¹⁵⁷ means “And he loved Rachel also more than he loved Leah.” And similarly, *Also thee I would have slain*,¹⁵⁸ means “Also I would have slain thee.” And there are many other such verses.

footnotes:
¹⁵⁶ This is a reference to what Rashi explained in Verse 27 that since Jacob’s arrival, a blessing came upon Laban and he begot sons, “for is it possible that if he previously had sons, he would have let his daughter Rachel go among the shepherds?” Yet he had sons, as it is said, And he
¹⁵⁷ Above, 29:30.
¹⁵⁸ Numbers 22:33.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:32:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:32:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:32:1)

וְטַעַם **נָקֹד וְטָלוּא** נָקֹד אוֹ טָלוּא. "וְכָל שֶׂה חוּם", פֵּרְשׁוּ בּוֹ (הראב"ע והרד"ק) שָׁחוֹר, כִּי הַשַּׁחֲרוּת מִפְּנֵי הַחֹם. וְאֵינֶנּוּ נָכוֹן בְּעֵינַי, כִּי רֹב הַכְּשָׂבִים שְׁחוֹרִים, אַף כִּי בְּאֶרֶץ קֶדֶם שֶׁהִיא חַמָּה, וְאִם כֵּן יִהְיוּ כֻּלָּם לְיַעֲקֹב. וְהַנָּכוֹן דַּעַת אוּנְקְלוֹס (תרגום אונקלוס על בראשית ל':ל"ב) "שְׁחוֹם", וְהוּא קָרוֹב לְאָדֹם, וְקוֹרִין אוֹתוֹ רו"ש, וְכֵן פרש"י, וְיִהְיֶה חוּם מִגִּזְרַת "וְאוֹר הַחַמָּה" (ישעיהו ל כו) שֶׁהוּא דּוֹמֶה לַשֶּׁמֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר יִתְאַדֵּם קְצָת:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
SPECKLED AND SPOTTED. This means speckled *or* spotted. *And every ‘chum’ among the sheep* — commentators have explained¹⁵⁹ *chum* as meaning “black,” since blackness comes from heat (*cham*). But this does not appear to me to be correct since most sheep are black, particularly in the eastern countries where it is warm, and if so, all sheep would then belong to Jacob.
The correct interpretation is the rendition of Onkelos, namely, that *chum* is reddish or brownish, called *rouge* in Old French, and so did Rashi explain it. *Chum* would then be from the root; *the light of ‘hachamah’ (the sun)*,¹⁶⁰ since it is like the sun which is somewhat red.

footnotes:
¹⁵⁹ Ibn Ezra and R’dak.
¹⁶⁰ Isaiah 30:26.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:32:2
[Ramban on Genesis 30:32:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:32:2)

**וְהָיָה שְׂכָרִי** לְשׁוֹן רַשִׁ"י (רש"י על בראשית ל':ל"ב), אוֹתָן שֶׁיֵּלְדוּ מִכָּאן וּלְהַבָּא נְקֻדִּים וּטְלוּאִים בָּעִזִּים וּשְׁחוּמִים בַּכְּשָׂבִים יִהְיוּ שֶׁלִּי. וְכֵן דַּעַת רַבִּי אַבְרָהָם (אבן עזרא על בראשית ל':ל"ה). וּפֵרוּשׁ "כָּל שֶׂה נָקֹד וְטָלוּא" – תַּיִשׁ, "וְטָלוּא וְנָקֹד בָּעִזִּים" – הַנְּקֵבוֹת, כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמַר (שם) "וַיָּסַר בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא אֶת הַתְּיָשִׁים וְאֵת כָּל הָעִזִּים" וּפֵרוּשׁ "כֹּל אֲשֶׁר לָבָן בּוֹ" – בַּנִּזְכָּרִים "וְכָל חוּם בַּכְּשָׂבִים", וּלְפִי דַּעְתִּי כִּי כָל נָקֹד וְטָלוּא בַּכְּשָׂבִים וְכָל חוּם בָּהֶם הָיָה שְׂכָרוֹ, שֶׁהֲרֵי לֹא עָשָׂה בַּמַּקְלוֹת מַרְאֶה חוּם וְהָיָה מַפְסִיד שְׂכָרוֹ מִן הַכְּשָׂבִים שֶׁהֵם מֵיטַב הַצֹּאן. וְכֵן בַּחֲלוֹמוֹ הֶרְאוּהוּ הָעֹלִים עַל הַצֹּאן עֲקֻדִּים נְקֻדִּים אֵין בָּהֶם חוּם. וּפֵרוּשׁ הַכָּתוּב הָסֵר מִשָּׁם כָּל שֶׂה נָקֹד וְטָלוּא וְכָל חוּם בַּכְּשָׂבִים וְהָסֵר טָלוּא וְנָקֹד בָּעִזִּים, וְהָיָה שְׂכָרִי שְׁלֹשֶׁת הַמַּרְאוֹת בַּכְּשָׂבִים וְהַשְּׁנַיִם בָּעִזִּים. וְאָמַר **וְעָנְתָה בִּי צִדְקָתִי בְּיוֹם מָחָר** כִּי כֹּל אֲשֶׁר אֵינֶנּוּ נָקֹד וְטָלוּא בָּעִזִּים וְגַם חוּם בַּכְּשָׂבִים גָּנוּב הוּא אִתִּי:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND OF SUCH SHALL BE MY HIRE. Rashi comments: “Those which from now on will be born speckled and spotted among the goats, and the brownish ones amongst the sheep shall belong to me.” And so also is the opinion of Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra. The meaning of the expression, *every one among the flock speckled and spotted*, is that it refers to the he-goats; *and the spotted and speckled among the goats* refers to the she-goats, just as Scripture said, *And he removed that day the he-goats … and all the she-goats*.¹⁶¹ And the meaning of the expression, *every one that had white in it*,¹⁶¹ is that it refers to those mentioned, [namely, the spotted and the speckled among the he-goats and the she-goats], *and all the brownish among the sheep*.¹⁶¹ [Thus, according to Rashi and Ibn Ezra, Jacob’s hire was to be all spotted and speckled he-goats and she-goats that will henceforth be born, and also the reddish ones among the sheep, but not the spotted and speckled among the sheep.]
In my opinion, all the spotted and speckled among the sheep, as well as all brownish ones, were to be Jacob’s hire since he did not make among his sticks any with a brownish color, in which case he caused himself the loss of his hire from among the sheep, which are the best of the flock. Similarly, in his dream, he was shown *the rams which went up on the flocks were ringstraked, speckled*,¹⁶² there being no brownish ones among them. And the meaning of the verse before us is: removing from there every one of the flock speckled and spotted and all brownish ones among the sheep, and removing the spotted and the speckled among the goats, *and they shall be my hire*, namely, the three colors among the sheep — speckled, spotted, and brownish — and two among the goats — spotted and speckled. And he further said, *So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come*, that *everyone that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and* all *brownish among the sheep, that shall be accounted stolen with me*.¹⁶³

footnotes:
¹⁶¹ Verse 35 here.
¹⁶¹ Verse 35 here.
¹⁶¹ Verse 35 here.
¹⁶² Further, 31:10.
¹⁶³ Verse 33 here.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:35:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:35:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:35:1)

וְטַעַם **וַיָּסַר בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא אֶת הַתְּיָשִׁים** סִפֵּר הַכָּתוּב כִּי יַעֲקֹב אָמַר סְתָם הָסֵר מִשָּׁם טָלוּא וְנָקֹד בָּעִזִּים, וְלָבָן חָשַׁשׁ לְזֶרַע הָאָב וְהִפְרִישׁ הַזְּכָרִים וְהַנְּקֵבוֹת, וְהִפְרִישׁ אֲפִילּוּ הָעֲקֻדִּים אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם לֹבֶן מְעַט בְּרַגְלֵיהֶם בִּמְקוֹם הָעֲקֵדָה, וְהִפְרִישׁ בַּכְּשָׂבִים כֹּל אֲשֶׁר לָבָן בּוֹ וְכָל חוּם. וְאִם יִהְיֶה "כֹּל אֲשֶׁר לָבָן בּוֹ" לוֹמַר שֶׁהִפְרִישׁ בַּתְּיָשִׁים וּבָעִזִּים כָּל אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ מַרְאֶה לָבָן בֵּין עָקוּד בֵּין בָּרוּד, יִהְיֶה וְכָל חוּם מוּסָף עַל הַמַּרְאוֹת הַנִּזְכָּרוֹת. וְטַעַם הוֹסִיפוֹ בִּשְׂכַר הַכְּשָׂבִים חוּם, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאֵין בְּתוֹלְדֹתָם לִהְיוֹתָם בַּעֲלֵי גְּוָנִין כַּתְּיָשִׁים וְהָעִזִּים, וְאֵין בְּתוֹלֶדֶת הָעִזִּים לִהְיוֹת בָּהֶן חוּם:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND HE REMOVED THAT DAY THE HE-GOATS. The meaning thereof is that Scripture relates that Jacob had said in a general way, *removing from there … the spotted and the speckled among the goats*,¹⁶⁴ [which, according to Ramban’s opinion explained above, refers only to the she-goats], but Laban was afraid of the influence of the male seed, and so he removed the he-goats that were even ringstraked, having a little white on their feet at the spot where they are bound, and he removed from the sheep *every one that had white in it* together with *all the brownish ones*. Now if *every one that had white in it* means that he removed from among the he-goats and she-goats all that had any white color in them, whether ringstraked or grizzled, in that case, *and all brownish among the sheep* is in addition to the colors mentioned [for, as we have seen, Ramban is of the opinion that Jacob’s hire from the sheep was from all three colors]. The reason why they added the brownish color to the hire from the sheep is that it is not in their nature to be born with the same colors as he-goats and she-goats, and it is not in the nature of goats to be brownish.

footnotes:
¹⁶⁴ Verse 32 here.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:37:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:37:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:37:1)

**וַיִּקַּח לוֹ יַעֲקֹב מַקַּל לִבְנֶה** כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִסְכִּימוּ לִהְיוֹת שְׂכָרוֹ בְּאֵלֶּה הָיָה רַשַּׁאי לַעֲשׂוֹת כָּל מַה שֶׁיּוּכַל לְהוֹלִידָם כֵּן. וְאוּלַי הִתְנָה יַעֲקֹב שֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂה בָּהֶן כָּל מָה שֶׁיִּרְצֶה, כִּי לָבָן לֹא הָיָה יוֹדֵעַ בַּתּוֹלָדָה הַזּוֹ, וְהָרוֹעִים לֹא הָיוּ מַרְגִּישִׁים בַּדָּבָר בִּרְאוֹתָם הַמַּקְלוֹת בָּרְהָטִים פַּעַם אַחַת בַּשָּׁנָה בִּימֵי נִיסָן, כִּי בְּהַעֲטִיף הַצֹּאן בִּימֵי תִּשְׁרֵי לֹא יָשִׂים, שֶׁלֹּא יִשָּׁאֵר לְלָבָן עַד פַּרְסָה. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים (הרד"ק) כִּי הַשָּׁנָה הָרִאשׁוֹנָה נוֹלְדוּ לְיַעֲקֹב נְקֻדִּים וּטְלוּאִים רַבִּים בְּבִרְכַּת הַשֵּׁם אֲשֶׁר הֶרְאָה לוֹ הַמַּלְאָךְ, וְשָׂם הַמַּקְלוֹת בִּפְנֵי אֵלּוּ שֶׁהָיוּ שֶׁלּוֹ שֶׁיּוֹלִידוּ בִּדְמוּתָם, שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמַר לָבָן כַּאֲשֶׁר יִוָּלְדוּ כִּי גָּנוּב הוּא אִתּוֹ. וְזֶה פֵּרוּשׁ "בְּכָל יַחֵם הַצֹּאן הַמְקֻשָּׁרוֹת", שֶׁהֵם הַנּוֹלָדִים לוֹ, "וּבְהַעֲטִיף הַצֹּאן" שֶׁל לָבָן, "לֹא יָשִׂים, וְהָיָה הָעֲטֻפִים לְלָבָן" אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִוָּלְדוּ נְקֻדִּים "וְהַקְּשׁוּרִים" כֻּלָּם "לְיַעֲקֹב" כִּי יִוָּלְדוּ נְקֻדִּים:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND JACOB TOOK HIM STICKS OF POPLAR. As soon as they agreed that his hire would be these colors it was permissible for Jacob to do whatever he could to cause them to give birth in this manner. Perhaps Jacob had made a condition that he may do with them whatever he wants since Laban did not know of the ramifications of this measure, nor did Laban’s shepherds sense anything when they saw the sticks in the gutters once a year during the days of Nisan. For *When the flocks were feeble*¹⁶⁵ in the days of Tishri, *he did not put them in*, otherwise not a hoof would have remained for Laban.
Now some commentators¹⁶⁶ say that the first year [Jacob did not make use of these sticks, but] there were born to him many speckled and spotted ones by virtue of G-d’s blessing which the angel showed him.¹⁶⁷ And then he put the sticks in front of those which were his so that they should give birth in their form. This would prevent Laban from saying that their offspring was stolen by Jacob, [as he would have claimed had they given birth to other colored offspring].
This is the meaning of *whensoever the stronger flocks became heated*,¹⁶⁸ referring to those that had been born to Jacob by way of G-d’s blessing; *but when the flocks* of Laban *were feeble, he put them not in; so that the feebler were Laban’s*, for they did not give birth to speckled ones, *and the stronger* were all *Jacob’s*,¹⁶⁵ including their offspring, for they gave birth to speckled ones.

footnotes:
¹⁶⁵ Verse 42 here.
¹⁶⁶ R’dak.
¹⁶⁷ Further, 31:12.
¹⁶⁸ Verse 41 here.
¹⁶⁵ Verse 42 here.


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:40:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:40:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:40:1)

**וְהַכְּשָׂבִים הִפְרִיד יַעֲקֹב** פֵּרֵשׁ רַשִׁ"י (רש"י על בראשית ל':מ') הַנּוֹלָדִים עֲקֻדִּים נְקֻדִּים הִבְדִּילָם לְעַצְמָם וְעָשָׂה אוֹתָן עֵדֶר לְבַד, וְהוֹלִיךְ אוֹתוֹ הָעֵדֶר הֶעָקוּד לִפְנֵי הַצֹּאן, וּפְנֵי הַצֹּאן הַהוֹלְכוֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶן צוֹפוֹת בְּאֵלּוּ. וְזֶהוּ שֶׁאָמַר "וַיִּתֵּן פְּנֵי הַצֹּאן אֶל עָקֹד", שֶׁהָיוּ פְּנֵי הַצֹּאן אֶל עָקֹד וְאֶל כָּל חוּם שֶׁנִּמְצָא בְּצֹאן לָבָן, "וַיָּשֶׁת לוֹ עֲדָרִים לְבַדּוֹ וְלֹא שָׁתָם עַל צֹאן לָבָן", כְּמוֹ שֶׁפֵּרַשְׁתִּי, זֶה לְשׁוֹן הָרַב. וְאֵין דְּבָרָיו בְּכָאן נְכוֹנִים, כִּי לָמָּה הִפְרִיד הַכְּשָׂבִים וְלֹא נִשְׁאַר בְּעֵדֶר לָבָן נָקֹד אוֹ חוּם, לֹא בַּכְּשָׂבִים וְלֹא בָּעִזִּים, וְאִם הָיוּ הַנִּפְרָדִים אוֹתָם אֲשֶׁר הוֹלִידוּ הַצֹּאן עֲקֻדִּים נְקֻדִּים וּטְלֻאִים שֶׁהָיוּ שֶׁלּוֹ, וּמֵהֶם עָשָׂה הָעֵדֶר הַזֶּה הֶעָקוּד, לָמָּה הִפְרִיד הַכְּשָׂבִים לְבַדָּם וְלֹא לָקַח גַּם הַתְּיָשִׁים וְהָעִזִּים שֶׁנּוֹלְדוּ לוֹ כֵן, וְיַעֲשֶׂה מִכֻּלָּם הָעֵדֶר הֶעָקוּד הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר הוֹלִיךְ לִפְנֵי הַצֹּאן. וְעוֹד שֶׁלֹּא אָמַר שֶׁנּוֹלַד שָׁם חוּם. וְעוֹד כִּי לְפִי דַּעַת הָרַב אֵין בַּכְּשָׂבִים עָקֹד וְטָלוּא שֶׁאֵינָם שְׂכָרוֹ, וְלֹא עָשָׂה לָהֶם מַקְלוֹת. אֲבָל פֵּרוּשׁ הַכָּתוּב שֶׁהִפְרִיד הַכְּשָׂבִים מִן הָעִזִּים וְעָשָׂה מֵהֶן עֵדֶר מְיֻחָד, וְהִנֵּה הָיוּ לוֹ עֵדֶר כְּשָׂבִים וְעֵדֶר עִזִּים, וְנָתַן פְּנֵי כָּל הַצֹּאן עֵדֶר הַכְּשָׂבִים וְעֵדֶר הָעִזִּים אֶל הָעֲקֻדִּים וְאֶל כָּל חוּם אֲשֶׁר בְּכָל צֹאן לָבָן, שֶׁשָּׂם הָעֲקוּדִים לִפְנֵי הָעִזִּים וְכָל חוּם לִפְנֵי הַכְּשָׂבִים עַל דַּעַת הָרִאשׁוֹנִים, אוֹ הָעֲקֻדִּים וְכָל חוּם לִפְנֵי הַכְּשָׂבִים עַל דַּעְתֵּנוּ, כִּי צֹרֶךְ הַהַפְרָדָה מִפְּנֵי הַחוּם אֲשֶׁר הָיָה שְׂכָרוֹ בַּכְּשָׂבִים לְבַדָּן. וְהַנָּכוֹן בְּעֵינַי שֶׁיֹּאמַר כִּי הַכְּשָׂבִים הִפְרִיד יַעֲקֹב, וְנָתַן פְּנֵי הַצֹּאן הַנִּזְכָּר שֶׁהֵם הַכְּשָׂבִים אֶל עָקֹד וְאֶל כָּל חוּם, וַיָּשֶׁת לוֹ עֲדָרִים לְבַדּוֹ מִן הֶעָקוּד וְהַחוּם וְהוֹלִיכָם לִפְנֵי הַכְּשָׂבִים, וְלֹא שָׁתָם עַל צֹאן לָבָן כִּי הָיוּ שְׂכָרוֹ. וְטַעַם "בְּצֹאן לָבָן", שֶׁעָשָׂה כֵן בְּכָל צֹאן לָבָן. וְהִנֵּה הֶעָקוּד בַּכְּשָׂבִים הָיוּ שֶׁלּוֹ. וְאַל תִּשְׁאַל לָמָּה אָמַר "הַכְּשָׂבִים" וְאָמַר "פְּנֵי הַצֹּאן", כִּי דֶּרֶךְ מִקְרָאוֹת לְדַבֵּר כֵּן וּבַפָּרָשָׁה הַזֹּאת בְּדוֹמֶה לוֹ בְּהַר הַגִּלְעָד (בראשית ל"א:כ"א). וְטַעַם עֲשׂוֹתוֹ כֵּן בַּכְּשָׂבִים, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה בַּמַּקְלוֹת חוּם, אוֹ שֶׁיָּדַע בְּתוֹלֶדֶת הַכְּשָׂבִים שֶׁצְּרִיכִים לְסִימָנִים רַבִּים בִּכְבֵדוּתָם יוֹתֵר מִן הַתְּיָשִׁים לְקַלּוּתָם:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND JACOB SEPARATED THE LAMBS. Rashi comments: “Those sheep that were thus born spotted on the ankles and speckled, he separated and set apart by themselves, thus forming them into a separate flock. The spotted flock he led in front of the ordinary sheep so that the faces of the sheep that followed behind them were gazing at them. This is what Scripture means in saying, *And he set the faces of the flocks towards the spotted;* the faces of the sheep were directed towards the spotted animals and towards all that were brownish which were found amongst Laban’s sheep. *And he put his own droves by themselves, and set them not with Laban’s flocks*, as I have already explained.” This is the Rabbi’s [Rashi’s] language. But his words here are not correct. For why did Jacob separate the spotted lambs so that there did not remain in Laban’s flock any speckled or brownish ones, neither in the sheep nor in the goats? And if those that he separated were the ringstraked, speckled and spotted which the sheep had given birth to and which belonged to him, and it was from them that he made this spotted flock, why did he separate only the lambs and did not take also the he-goats and she-goats which were born spotted and make from all of them this spotted flock which he led before the sheep? Moreover, Scripture makes no mention of the fact that brownish ones were born. And again, according to the opinion of the Rabbi [Rashi], there were no ringstraked and spotted among the lambs for these were not his hire. Only the brownish were, and for the brownish he had made no sticks.
But the explanation of the verse is that Jacob separated the lambs from the goats and made from them a separate flock. Now he had a flock of brownish lambs and a flock of spotted and speckled goats. He then had the faces of all the flocks — of the lambs and of the goats — directed towards the ringstraked and towards all the brownish which were in the flock of Laban, since he put the ringstraked before the goats and all the brownish before the lambs, this being in accordance with the opinion of the earlier Rabbis, [Rashi and Ibn Ezra, as explained above], or, according to [Ramban’s] opinion, the ringstraked and all the brownish before the lamb. For the purpose of the separation of the lambs from the goats was on account of the brownish which were his hire from the lambs alone.
The correct interpretation appears to me to be that Scripture is saying, *Jacob separated* [only] *the lambs and set the faces of the flocks*, which refer to the above mentioned lambs, *to the ringstraked and all the brownish in the flock of Laban, and he put his own droves* of the ringstraked and the brownish *by themselves, and he set them not with Laban’s flocks*, for these, [the ringstraked and the brownish], were his hire. And the meaning of the expression, *in the flock of Laban*, is that he did so with all of Laban’s flocks but not that they belonged to Laban since the ringstraked among the lambs were Jacob’s.
Now do not ask why Scripture at first says “lambs” and then says “the faces of the flocks” rather than “the faces of the lambs”, for it is normal for Scripture to express itself this way. In this section there is a similar case in connection with the mountain of Gilead.¹⁶⁹. “The mountain” mentioned at the beginning of the verse is the “mountain of Gilead” mentioned at the end. And the reason Jacob did this with the lambs more than with the goats is that there were no brownish ones among the sticks he put up. It is possible that he knew that because of their heaviness, it is natural for lambs to require many signs to arouse them — more than the light-weight he-goats require.

footnotes:
¹⁶⁹ Further, 31:25. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountain, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mountain of Gilead


###### Ramban on Genesis 30:41:1
[Ramban on Genesis 30:41:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/30:41:1)

**הַצֹּאן הַמְּקֻשָּׁרוֹת** הַנָּכוֹן בְּעֵינַי בַּלָּשׁוֹן הַזֶּה שֶׁהֵם הַצֹּאן אֲשֶׁר הַזְּכָרִים מֵהֶם הוֹלְכִים אַחַר הַנְּקֵבוֹת בְּכָל עֵת, לֹא יִתְפָּרְדוּ מֵהֶם לְרֹב תַּאֲוָתָם, מִלְּשׁוֹן "וְנַפְשׁוֹ קְשׁוּרָה בְנַפְשׁוֹ" (בראשית מ"ד:ל'). וּלְשׁוֹן חֲכָמִים כֵּן הוּא (בכורות כד), חֲזִיר כָּרוּךְ אַחַר רָחֵל, בִּכְרוּכִין אַחֲרֶיהָ (קדושין עט). וְיִקָּרְאוּ הַנּוֹלָדִים בָּעֵת הַהִיא "הַקְּשׁוּרִים" עַל שֵׁם אֲבִיהֶם. וְרַבִּים אָמְרוּ כִּי קְשׁוּרִים הֵם הַחֲזָקִים, אֲשֶׁר אֵיבְרֵיהֶם קְשׁוּרִים זֶה בָּזֶה קֶשֶׁר אַמִּיץ, כִּי זֶה סִבַּת הַבְּרִיאוּת, וְהָעֲטוּפִים הֵם הַחֲלוּשִׁים אֲשֶׁר נַפְשָׁם בָּהֶם תִּתְעַטָּף וְאֵין לָהֶם תַּאֲוָה, מִלְּשׁוֹן "הָעֲטוּפִים בְּרָעָב" (איכה ב יט). וְהַתַּרְגּוּם אָמַר "בַּכִּירַיָּא וְלַקִּישַׁיָּא", כִּי כֵן הַדָּבָר:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
THE FLOCKS ‘HAMEKUSHAROTH.’ The correct interpretation of this expression appears to me to be that they are the flocks in which the males follow the females at all times, never leaving them due to their abundant desire, as in the expression, *Seeing that his soul is ‘keshurah’ (bound up) with the lad’s soul*.¹⁷⁰ This is also found in the language of our Sages: “a swine *karuch* (clinging) to a ewe;”¹⁷¹ “clinging to her.”¹⁷² And the offspring born at that time are called *hakeshurim* after the name of their father.
But many authorities say¹⁷³ that *keshurim* are “the strong ones” whose limbs are firmly attached to each other with a strong tie, as this is the basis of health, while *atuphim*¹⁶⁵ are “the weak ones” whose *soul ‘tithataph’ (fainted) in them*,¹⁷⁴ and who have no desire, as in the expression, *‘ha’atuphim’ (that faint) for hunger*.¹⁷⁵ Onkelos translated *hamekusharoth* as the early-bearing sheep, and *atuphim* as the late-bearing ones, for such is the fact: [the early-bearing sheep are the stronger ones, and the late-bearing ones are weaker].

footnotes:
¹⁷⁰ Further, 44:30.
¹⁷¹ Bechoroth 24a.
¹⁷² Kiddushin 79b.
¹⁷³ P’sikta Zutrata on this verse.
¹⁶⁵ Verse 42 here.
¹⁷⁴ Psalms 107:5.
¹⁷⁵ Lamentations 2:19.