EXTRA · Side-ring · Parashas Vayeitzei · Passuk 31:35
This page is an EXTRA derasha. It is not part of the main-ring PREV/NEXT chain.
And she said to her father, “Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the way of women is upon me.” So he searched but did not find the terafim.
Classical sources beyond the TT-numbered main ring: Rashi on 31:35 and context from Bereishis Rabbah.
Lemma: דרך נשים לי.
English: “For the way of women is upon me” — Rachel’s claim that she was in her menstrual state and therefore could not rise.
Derash / classical peirush — not a formal named middah of the 13. The narrative detail is read as a deliberate and effective stratagem.
Rachel’s invocation of “the way of women” allowed her both to stay seated on the concealed terafim and to prevent a thorough search of her person and seat.