“Laban said to him: Indeed, you are my bone and my flesh, and he stayed with him a month’s time” (Genesis 29:14). “Laban said to him: Indeed, you are my bone and my flesh…” – he said to him: ‘I was thinking to render you a king over me, but now that you have nothing with you, “indeed, you are my bone and my flesh.” I will strip you bare like this bone.’ “He stayed with him a month’s time” – Rabbi Ami said: The Torah teaches you etiquette.
For how long must a person tend to his relatives? It is up to a month. “Laban said to Jacob: Because you are my brother, shall you work for me for nothing? Tell me, what is your salary?” (Genesis 29:15).
“Laban said to Jacob: Because…shall you work for me for nothing?” Is that possible?30Did Laban really plan on paying Jacob fairly for his work? It is, rather, if he performed a task for ten silver coins, he would give him five silver coins, and if his delivery was worth six silver pieces, he would give him three silver pieces.31That is what Laban wanted to give as payment for Jacob's work. He said to him: ‘What do you think, that I came because I want your money? I came only because of your two young women.’