Page 431 - BERESHIT

Yaakov stopped on the way to Charan, to learn Torah in the yeshiva of
Shem and Ever. He spent fourteen years in intense learning, preparing for
his encounter with Lavan. Why did he find it so necessary to add another
fourteen years of learning?

We can divide the years that Yaakov learned into two categories. His
initial years of learning saved him from the detrimental influence of Eisav
and his strong arm. In Charan though, Yaakov would have to push aside
the tumah which lingered about Lavan’s home and weather the sinful
environment. He needed a primer on dealing with his new life-challenges.
That he gained from the yeshiva.

When Yaakov left the yeshiva, what prevented Eisav from traveling to
Charan and killing Yaakov? Hashem promised Yaakov in his dream to
protect him. Hashem saw Yaakov’s extraordinary efforts in learning Torah
and preparing for his encounter with Lavan.

Our lives are constantly inundated with foreign influences. This is the
kelippah of tumah which threatens to overwhelm our senses with its base
physicality and pleasure-seeking character. Only by learning Torah can we
break free from its grasp and prevent ourselves from sinking into the
morass of materialism.