In Parshat Vayetze, Yitzchak tells Yaakov that he should leave Canaan to go find a wife amongst his mother's family. Arriving penniless in Charan, Yaakov is given the opportunity to work for his Uncle Lavan in exchange for the right to marry his daughter.  As we know, Lavan tricks Yaakov and gives him Leah for a wife instead of Rachel.  Devastated by the potential loss of his true love, Yaakov promises to work for Lavan for another seven years if he will allow Yaakov to marry Rachel. Rather than living happily ever after, however, the family experiences its share of sorrow, jealousy and strife, and ultimately flees Charan rather than contend with the anger of Lavan and his children.  One question that arises is whether the purpose of including these family squabbles is merely to teach us about the personal lives of the avot and imahot, fathers and mothers, or whether it serves a greater purpose. Perhaps by taking note of the themes throughout the rest of the Parsha we can derive a deeper meaning underlying Yaakov's time in Lavan's house.  

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