What is the gist of the covenant that Lavan made with Yaakov? Why did he begin with the word "v'Atah" (and now)?
Seforno: What he is saying is, 'Now that it is clear that I am not out to harm you, 1 let us make a covenant that will also guarantee that you will not harm me!'
Refer to 31:43:1:2*.
To whom (what) was Lavan referring when he said 'v'Hayah l'Eid Beini u'Veinecha'?
Rashi: He was referring to Hashem. 1
Ramban 2 : He was referring to the covenant, 3 including oaths and curses that would take effect on whoever would break it.
Ramban #2: He was referring to something concrete on which the covenant would take effect. 4
See Sifsei Chachamim. Tosfos ha'Shalem (1, citing R. Efrayim): To honor Ya?akov, Hashem appeared to Lavan, so Lavan said "see, Elokim is a witness between us."
This is also implied by Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan.
See Sifsei Chachamim.
To which Ya?akov responded by putting up a stone - See also 31:52.
Why is there a Hei at the end of "Lechah"?
Ha'amek Davar: The Yerushalmi 1 says that this teaches 'you, and no other' - Also here, I trust you to guard the Bris, for you serve Hashem. I would not trust someone else.
Refer to 27:7:152:1*.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "V'Hayah l'Ed - Hashem shall be a witness." Perhaps the covenant itself will be the witness?
Gur Aryeh: The word for covenant, Bris, is in the feminine, while the phrase "v'Hayah l'Ed" is in the masculine. It must mean that Hashem Himself should be the witness. 1
