Yaakov started working as a shepherd for Lavan. Lavan wanted to pay him a salary, but Yaakov didn't want money. He said to Lavan, "What I really want is to marry your younger daughter, Rachel. I'll work seven years for her!"
Lavan had two daughters. Rachel was beautiful, and her older sister, Leah, was also beautiful, but her eyes were red and swollen from crying. (Everyone in town assumed that Leah and Eisav would get married, since they were both the oldest in their families... and wouldn't the thought of marrying the evil Eisav be enough to make any girl cry?)
Lavan agreed to Yaakov's request to marry Rachel-but secretly he planned to give Yaakov his older daughter, Leah, instead!
He Was Outstanding in His Field
Just as he had promised, Yaakov took care of Lavan's flocks for seven years. He faithfully tended Lavan's sheep and goats in the scorching hot sun during the day, and stood watch over them in the freezing wind and rain at night. Year after year, he did the best job he possibly could-and Lavan's flocks were thriving.
And Lavan? He just took it easy and enjoyed counting all the money he made thanks to Yaakov!
Switcheroo
Finally, it was the day of the wedding! Lavan made a big, fancy party and invited everyone in town. He was smiling, because he knew he had a little trick up his sleeve...
Rachel knew her father's tricks, and she told Yaakov what he was planning to do. They came up with a scheme of their own. They made up a secret code, so that Yaakov would be able to double-check that Rachel was indeed the bride under the veil.
It was a clever idea, and it would have worked, except for one thing: At the last minute, Rachel felt sorry for Leah. She didn't want Leah to be embarrassed when her identity would be exposed in front of everyone. So Rachel did a very kind thing. Right before the wedding, she whispered the secret passwords to Leah, so that she would know what to say to Yaakov when he used the secret code.
When Yaakov used the secret code, and Leah knew all the right answers, he was convinced that she was Rachel-and he went ahead with the wedding!
When he discovered what had happened, he shouted, "Lavan! You tricked me!"
Lavan answered, "Well... around here we don't marry off a younger daughter before her older sister. But, all right. In a week you can marry Rachel, too... only if you agree to work for me for another seven years..."
Yaakov agreed without hesitation. He married Rachel the very next week, and he loved her more than Leah. He kept his word to Lavan, and worked hard for him for another seven years.
