“Rachel and Leah answered and said to him: Is there still a share or inheritance for us in our father's house?” (Genesis 31:14). “Rachel and Leah answered and said to him” – why did Rachel die first? Rabbi Yudan and Rabbi Yosei, Rabbi Yudan said: Because she spoke before her sister. Rabbi Yosei said to him: ‘Have you ever seen a person call Reuben, and Simeon answer him?
Did he not call Rachel, and Rachel answered him?’10Jacob called Rachel first, see Genesis 31:4. According to the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda,11Rabbi Yudan. it works out well. According to the opinion of Rabbi Yosei, she died only from the curse of the elder [Jacob], as it is stated: “With whomever you find your gods, he shall not live” (Genesis 31:32); it was “like an error that emerges from the ruler” (Ecclesiastes 10:5).
“Rachel stole [the household idols that were her father’s]” (Genesis 31:19); “Rachel died…” (Genesis 35:19). “Are we not considered foreigners by him, as he sold us, and he also consumed our silver?” (Genesis 31:15). “Are we not considered foreigners by him, as he sold us…[consumed our silver?]” – is that possible?12That he forcibly took their belongings. Rather, if there was a fine sheep, he would take it. If there was a tasty dish, he would take it.13He was more subtle in taking their belongings.