In my day-to-day life, I strive to maintain a clear plan and a set of goals focused on enhancing Judaism in our community through studying, teaching, and connecting.
Our forefather Yaakov spent the beginning of his life in the Holy Land, concentrating on spiritual pursuits and sheltering himself from the complexities of material life.
Upon his arrival in Charan and his connection with the con-artist Laban, Yaakov's life became filled with challenges and struggles.
Later, in Egypt, he found himself not in control, subjected to an environment of idol worship and lewdness. Surprisingly, the years in Egypt are considered the best of Yaakov's life.
“Everything that happened to the Patriarchs,” writes Nachmanides in his commentary on the Book of Genesis, “is a signpost for their children.
Similarly, in each of our lives, we experience three modes: 1) moments of truth when fully engaged in our soul identity, our true selves; 2) the daily grind, with challenges and struggles that affirm our resilience; and 3) the pits, when everything seems to collapse, and the environment around us feels foreign and uncontrollable.
How could it be that the best years of Yaakov's life were those he lived in Egypt, the epitome of decadence?
My experience this week, with one of the kids being unwell and forcing me to stay home and get less "work" done while Fraida generously took the kids to school in Baltimore, is one answer.
Sometimes, the most productive things we can do involve staying "above it" in a situation where we have no control. When I resigned myself to doing less, I chose to be super focused and strategic during the times when the child was napping. Similarly, Yaakov in Egypt knew he would be in a place of depravity, so he set up a system to ensure he and his children remained connected to their transcendent selves.
Namely, he established a school of Torah learning because Torah study connects us to Hashem Himself, who is beyond the limitations and evils of Egypt. When we study the Torah, we become immune to the detrimental effects that Egypt can otherwise have on us. We may not be in control of the situation, but we can remain above it by ensuring we take our medicine, namely Torah study, to inoculate us.
The best years were in Egypt, where Yaakov proved that Godliness can penetrate the lowest levels of society. We can uplift even immoral Egypt by remaining in it and above it.
As we approach the "new year" and make "new year resolutions," consider adding daily Torah study to your life. There is even an app for it: link. This will allow you to stay in the world with an anchor connecting you to Hashem.
Have a good Shabbos,
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman