Page 413 - BERESHIT

The word can be split into two words: (which has the numerical

value of ) and (which has the numerical value of , after

including one for the word itself). This refers to Yaakov’s desire to stay

put and learn Torah. His true and overriding pleasure and satisfaction

came from the Torah that he learned.

The type of reward which awaits us in the next world is a spiritual
pleasure. Torah learning hones our sense of pleasure and points it in the
direction of spiritual gratification, giving us the faculty to appreciate
spiritual bliss. The Torah also contains the soul-nourishing properties that
really keep us alive. It helps us to remain Torah Jews by guarding us from
sin.

Rabbi Yehudah Hanasi was an extremely wealthy man. Yet he didn’t
derive any enjoyment from this world, despite his position as Nasi. He
was so attached to Torah that he didn’t have any pleasure from his
material acquisitions or feel any need to enjoy this world for pleasure’s
sake. Similarly, Yaakov used his wealth to serve Hashem. He had the
power of Torah, which raises us up high above the vain and egocentric
world of extravagance and pageantry.