Jacob, Laban, and the Speckled Flocks of Vayetzei

What is written above concerning this matter? "And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban: Send me away" (Genesis 30:25). [Jacob said:] And if you do not wish to send me away, I am going for myself without your permission. Laban said to him: With all the sons that you have fathered, you never said to me "send me away," but only [now] over Joseph. He said to him: Because he will exact payment from Esau the wicked. Therefore, "send me away that I may go" (Genesis 30:25). "And Laban said to him: I have learned by divination" (Genesis 30:27). On that day, by Jacob's feet, he found a treasure that is for fortune; therefore he says, "I have learned by divination." Rabbi Berekhyah said: Laban divined, but Jacob did not know, and what did he care? "And the Lord has blessed me on your account" (ibid.). Laban said: "Name your wages" (Genesis 30:28). He said to him: You take the spotted ones and I take the speckled ones from all that they bear. "And Jacob pastured the remaining flock of Laban" (Genesis 30:36). What is "the remaining"? Resh Lakish said: The old, the barren, the sick. What is written? "And Jacob took for himself a rod of white poplar" (Genesis 30:37). Rabbi Hoshaya said: He was forming a figure, and just as he formed, so they bore; he lacked only to give them a soul. They bore and were blessed before him. Laban went back on this. From where [do we know] that Jacob said thus? "And he changed my wages" (Genesis 31:7). What did Jacob do, since [Laban] delayed him? He sent for the members of his household, as it is said: "And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field" (Genesis 31:4). Why not inside his house? Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel said: For three things I love the children of the East,