Jewish History: Biblical History: Rachel and the Teraphim:
Why did Rachel take her father's Teraphim?
According to the Midrash, Rachel took them because she objected to her
father's use of them for idolatrous purposes. Laban wasn't a Jew; the
Jews are descended from Abraham, whereas Laban was descended from Abraham's
brother Nachor. Abraham's father Terach was an idolator, and evidently
Abraham's brothers didn't join him in breaking away from idolatry. But
idolatry is forbidden even to non-Jews; this is one of the commandments
given to Adam and Noah.
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