Page 628 - BERESHIT
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Hashem showed His love to Yaakov by doubling his name. He would
continue to enjoy Heavenly favor, even in Egypt, and would be able to
receive further Divine inspiration.
The word can be split into two, and . By living a life of Torah
one gains vitality, living life the way it was meant to be lived. Similarly,
the name contains a reference to the prerequisites to acquiring
Torah. Yaakov excelled in this area, achieving mastery of himself and
proficiency in Torah, symbolized by his name Yisrael. These traits are
what earned him Hashem’s love.
It was part of Hashem’s decree that Yosef should be torn away from home
without advance knowledge or forewarning. There was nothing more that
Yaakov could have done to alleviate his situation or change the Divine
plan.
“And it shall be, when Pharaoh summons you,
and says: What is your occupation? Then you
are to say: Your servants have been cattlemen
from our youth till now, both we and our
forefathers – so that you may be able to settle in
the region of Goshen, since all shepherds are
abhorrent to Egyptians”
(Bereishit 46:33-34)
