Commentaire de citation sur La Genèse 31:54

AND JACOB SAID UNTO HIS BRETHREN. I.e., to Laban’s brothers mentioned above,²⁴⁴Verse 23 here. who had accompanied him, as Jacob did not want to say it to his father-in-law whom he treated with respect. Likewise, the verse, And he [Jacob] called his brethren to eat bread,²⁴⁵Verse 54 here. also refers to Laban’s brothers, and he did not invite Laban to eat bread as an act of respect, as if everything is under his authority and is all his. A similar case is the verse, And Pharaoh said unto his brethren: What is your occupation?²⁴⁶Further, 47:3. [which means he said it to Joseph’s brethren]. But Rashi explained: “And Jacob said unto his brethren — to Jacob’s brothers, [meaning, his sons, who were like brothers to him since they stood by him in trouble and in battle].” However, those that came with Laban, whom Scripture calls “his brethren”, were really his friends and companions.
It is possible that that which is said concerning Laban, And he took his brethren with him,²⁴⁴Verse 23 here. refers to his kinsmen, members of his family from the seed of Nahor the brother of Abraham. He did this because he did not want to bring against Jacob strangers lest they fight with him intensely, or covet, rob and steal his belongings. Thus these men were kinsmen to Jacob just as to Laban, and therefore they are called “brethren” of both.
And some say²⁴⁷P’sikta Zutrata above on Chapter 29, Verse 4. that Jacob ethically referred to them as “my brothers,” just as he said to the shepherds, My brethren, whence are ye?²⁴⁸Above, 29:4. And in Bereshith Rabbah, the Sages have said:²⁴⁹74:11. “And Jacob said unto his brethren — these are his sons, whom, in a respectful manner, he called his brothers.” However, with respect to the verse, And he called his brethren to eat bread,²⁴⁵Verse 54 here. the Midrash did not explain [that “his brethren” refers to his sons]! The correct interpretation is the one I wrote at the outset.

AND THEY DID EAT THERE UPON THE STONE-HEAP. They ate a little there as a remembrance. Perhaps it was customary for both of those who made a covenant to eat from one bread as a sign of love and companionship. After having entered into an oath and a covenant, they offered sacrifices and made a great feast. It is possible that the verse stating, and they did eat there upon the stone-heap, refers to the offerings mentioned below,²⁵⁰Verse 54 here. for he said to them, “Gather stones²⁵¹Verse 46 here. and we will make a heap to eat thereon, and it will also serve as a witness when we make the covenant,” and afterwards they ate the offerings upon it. And the meaning of the verse, And they did eat bread,²⁵⁰Verse 54 here. is that Jacob made them a great feast, and not just a party, in order that they should tarry with him all night.