Ya’akov wanted the Shalva (serenity) he deserved, but Hashem decided to give him more than he wished for. But to do this he had to go through the twenty two year Yosef ordeal.

Ya’akov tells his children to get ready to be dependent on the Non-Jews in the time of famine, because he senses that Golus is coming, and that this is how God’s miracle would reach them. In Golus we get our food and knowledge (from Hashem, but) through the non-Jew. this is the meaning of ‘Lama…

רב עוד יוסף בני חי Upon discovering that his son is alive not only in body but in spirit as well, Ya’akov celebrates what his son Yosef has become, exceeding all expectation.

Ya’akov is happy to go to Egypt yet apprehensive. How can this be reconciled. The Rebbe reveals that not only are these two feelings not incompatible they are actually mutually interdependent.

Ya’akov is talking to his sons about their upcoming trip to Egypt. He knows what his sons told him, but he senses something more is at hand, so he Davens. He explains that he’s Davening just in case. But the brothers who know the whole truth know just how important the prayer is.

Three personalities, three Galus perspectives: 1) Yaakov, he was not in the Galus at all. 2) The Shvatim, they are a part of the Galus and only survive it by being in (relative) isolation, as Shepherds. 3) Yosef, he is in the Galus and very much at it’s epicenter, but it makes no difference on…

The return of Yaakov to Eretz Yisroel found him whole not only according to the promises Hashem gave him, but that he didn’t even suffer (in a lasting way) for the Avoda sacrifices he needed to make in Golus.

Malachim before, Malachim after; When Yaakov leaves Eretz Yisroel, the local angels cannot lead him into Chutz La’aretz and new Malachim appear, while on his return, the Eretz Yisroel angels come out to greet. The reason: in the beginning they are empowering him and at the end they are honoring him.

Aisav is Yitzchok’s son and as he is in Yitzchok, he and Yaakov are just two versions of avodas Hashem, one that is like a Chossid and the other one who overcomes his Yetzer HaRa. Aisav just made bad choices.

Ya’akov wishes to tell his children when the Geula will come and they will leave Egypt. But God doesn’t let him. How could they both be correct [as Ya’akov is a Merkava and above error]?? The answer is perspective: Ya’akov hopes to encourage harder work to earn, and maybe even expedite, the Geula. But God…