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Upon his arrival in Eretz Canaan, why doesn't Yaakov go home immediately? After all, he has been away from his parents for over twenty years!

Secondly, why doesn't Yaakov return immediately to Bet-El to fulfill his "neder?" Hadn't he promised God that 'should he return home safely' he would establish a 'Bet Elokim' in Bet-El (see 28:20-22)!

The first thing Yaakov does when he reaches Canaan is buy property and establish his household in Shechem. He moves on to Bet-El only much later, after the incident with Dena, and only after God commands him to do so! [See 33:18-35:1.]

What's going on?

In this week's shiur we suggest a very simple answer, based on a rather intricate analysis.