1)

Why did Lavan address Eliezer as 'Beruch HaSh-m' - bearing in mind that he was a Kena'ani and therefore cursed?

1.

Targum Yonasan: He mistook him for Avraham. 1

2.

Pesikta Zutresa: He ceased to be cursed, and became blessed, because he served Avraham (faithfully ? Hadar Zekenim [or because he began his words with ?Baruch?, in Pasuk 27 - Midrash Agadah]).


1

And that would also explain why he told him that he had cleared the house of Avodah-Zarah, as Rashi explains.

2)

What made Lavan decide to invite Eliezer at this point?

1.

Seforno: When he saw the ornaments that Eliezer had given her, he realized that not to invite him would constitute a lack of gratitude, plus the fact that Eliezer had asked to stay with them, as Rivkah had informed them. 1


1

In fact, he made that decision already before running out to him, which explains why he told him that he had cleared the house to accommodate him and his men, as the Seforno himself explains.

3)

What are the implications of "Anochi Pinisi ha'Bayis"?

1.

Rashi and Targum Yonason: It implies that he cleared the house of Avodah Zarah. 1


1

See Torah Temimah, note 24, who explains how this is implied - even though his explanation does not tally with Rashi. The Oznayim la'Torah supports this explanation, for, otherwise, how could Eliezer prostrate himself before HaSh-m in a house that was full of idols?

4)

If Rivkah ran home to tell her mother about Eliezer, why did Lavan invite him in?

1.

Oznayim la'Torah: This teaches us the difference between the two siblings; Whereas Rivkah would not dream of inviting a guest into the house without consulting her parents, Lavan had no compunctions about doing so. 1


1

Oznayim la'Torah: Just as he had no compunctions about answering before his father - Refer to 24:50:1:1.

5)

What did Lavan hear that excited him so much?

1.

Malbim: He heard that the slave of his uncle gave such gifts to his sister - if so, all the more so the slave will give to him!

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

6)

Rashi writes: "'I have cleaned out the house' - of idolatry." Why doesn't Rashi explain simply that Lavan cleared out space for them to stay?

1.

Gur Aryeh: Rivkah already said that there was place for them to lodge at their home (24:25); there was no need to clear space for them.

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