Jacob's Sticks
Question
What is the significance of the poplar, chestnut and other stick that Jacob placed in the drinking troughs as animals drank water. Translated, the names of the plants mean Laban, Luz and Aram. What did they symbolize
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
As you know, Yakov Avinu (Jacob) took branches of poplar, almond, and chestnut trees to influence the breeding of his livestock in order to become more prosperous. By peeling white streaks into the branches and placing them in the watering troughs, Jacob created a flock of streaked, speckled, and spotted animals for himself which were considered to be more valuable, while the weaker animals were left for his father-in-law, Laban.
Regarding the interpretation of these items, the Midrash Sechel Tov (30:37) says the following on this episode:
“...And why Livna? Because of the stone which he had placed under his head, which was white-ish (livna = white). And the stick of a Luz tree to remember the city of Luz (Genesis 28:19) where God appeared to him in a dream (Genesis 48:3). And the stick of Armon (armon = trickery) because of the trickery of Laban.