<b>And the Lord said unto Jacob: “Return unto the land of thy fathers” (Gen. 31:3).</b> May it please our master to teach us whether an Israelite may light a candle with another candle upon which is engraved an idolatrous symbol? Thus did our masters teach us: An Israelite is forbidden to light a candle with another candle upon which an idolatrous symbol is engraved. This is in accordance with the verse <i>And thou shalt not bring an abomination into thy house</i> (Deut. 7:26). The Shekhinah does not rest in a home in which there is an idolatrous symbol, as is said: <i>In every place where I cause My name to be mentioned I will come unto thee</i> (Exod. 20:21). A proof of this is that as long as Lot remained with Abraham, the Holy One, blessed be He, did not appear to him, but after Lot’s departure, He did reveal Himself to him. Whence do we know this to be so? R. Eleazar the son of Pedat said in the name of R. Yosé the son of Zimra: We know this from the verse <i>And the Lord said unto Abraham</i> (Gen. 13:14). When did this occur? <i>After Lot departed from him</i> (ibid.).
Similarly, as long as Jacob resided in Laban’s home, the divine word did not reveal itself to him, even though He had assured him: <i>And, behold, I am with thee</i> (Gen. 28:15). The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Since I must not profane My divine glory by entering the home of the wicked Laban, what shall I do? At the very moment he leaves him, I shall fulfill My promise and be with him. Jacob reflected upon this, saying to himself: Did He not promise me <i>I shall not forsake thee</i> (ibid.)? Thereupon the Holy One, blessed be He, replied: If you desire that I be with you, then depart from Laban’s house and <i>Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred, and I will be with thee</i> (ibid. 31:13).