Vayeitzei 5781

Question: When Yaakov firsts wants to leave לבן, he doesn't demand or request payment. Why then does he insist on payment (which we later learn takes fully six years)?


Approach: it seems that יעקב is somewhat forced into an economic partnership with לבן, who insists that it’s economical sensible for both parties to continue working together. Once the agreement is in place, יעקב insists that it be done properly and fairly - but he'd have much rather not entered the situation in the first place.

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