Seeking Peace and Redemption
Jacob · Exile · Messianic Redemption · Esau · Divine Justice
וישב יעקב בארץ מגורי אביו אמרו חז"ל ביקש לישב בשלוה קפץ עליו רוגזו של יוסף.
“And Jacob settled in the land of his father’s sojournings. Our sages said: He sought to dwell in tranquility, and the turmoil of Joseph leapt upon him.”
The Sefat Emet explains that Jacob’s desire for tranquility triggered the events surrounding Joseph, indicating that his rest was spiritually premature.
פי' ביקש לישב בשלוה בארץ מגורי אביו בבחי' מדת הדין להיות נתקן גם מדת הדין שנפרץ ע"י עשו כמ"ש בפרשה הקודמת מזה.
“The meaning is: he sought to dwell in tranquility in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the aspect of the attribute of judgment, so that the attribute of judgment—breached by Esau—might also be repaired, as mentioned in the previous portion.”
Jacob hoped to complete a spiritual rectification of the aspect of divine judgment, damaged through Esau’s actions, but the time for this repair had not yet arrived.
אכן זה יהי' מתוקן ע"י משיח בן דוד שנקרא על שם זה פרץ לתקן הפרצה מצד צפון:
“However, this will be repaired through Messiah son of David, who is therefore called Peretz, to mend the breach on the northern side.”
The final rectification of judgment belongs to the messianic future, symbolized by the name Peretz, representing the healing of the primordial breach.
Summary: Jacob’s attempt to rest signaled a desire to complete the rectification of divine judgment, but this task ultimately awaits the future work of Messiah son of David.