I had the privilege of meeting R Yair Kahn of Yeshivat Har Etzion last Shabbat at Seudah Shelisheet at the Clanton Park shul in Toronto, where he shared the following thought.
There is much duplication in the story of Jacob.
- He is instructed to leave home twice – first by his mother (Genesis 27:43-45), and then by his father (28:1-2).
- His name is changed to Israel twice – first by the mysterious man of Maavar Yabok/Penuel (32:29), then by God at Beit El (35:10)
- He builds an altar and calls the name of the place Beit El twice (28:18-19 and 35:7)
On closer examination, one of each pair refers to Jacob’s sojourn in Haran, whole the other refers to Padan Aram. Presumably these refer to the same place – the house of Laban – but the first reference to Haran is made in Rebecca’s instructions to Jacob –
Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. Now therefore, my son, hearken to my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran
whereas the first reference to Padan Aram is made by Isaac –
Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. Arise, go to Paddan-aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother’s father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother’s brother.
These threads can be followed throughout the story. In one telling of the story, the journey (to Padan Aram) is all about taking a wife and building a family. In the other, the journey (to Haran) is about the struggle with Esau. In other words, the same events are recounted from two different perspectives.