Vayechi: When Darkness Shines: The Secret of Yaakov’s Best Years
At the beginning of Parshas Vayechi, the Torah states, “Yaakov lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years.” The Baal Haturim comments that these were the best years of Yaakov’s life. This is surprising: how could Yaakov, the elect of the Patriarchs, find his best years in Egypt, a land steeped in corruption and spiritual impurity?
There is a story about the Tzemach Tzedek, the third Rebbe of Chabad, who, as a young boy, encountered this commentary in cheder. Confused, he brought the question to his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe. The Alter Rebbe explained that before Yaakov arrived in Egypt, he sent Yehuda ahead to establish a yeshiva in Goshen. The Midrash teaches that this ensured Torah study flourished, enabling the tribes to connect to Hashem even in exile. Thus, the Torah uses the term “vayechi”—“he lived”—to describe Yaakov’s years in Egypt, emphasizing the spiritual vitality he maintained.
But this explanation only resolves part of the question. Why would these years be described as the best of Yaakov’s life? The Rebbe elaborates: Yaakov’s joy came not merely from surviving in Egypt but from thriving—ensuring that his family remained steadfast in their Jewish identity despite the challenges of exile.
This is illustrated in Yaakov’s reaction to the wagons (agalot) Yosef sent. The wagons symbolized the last Torah topic they studied together—the laws of the eglah arufah (an unsolved murder’s procedure). The word agalot (wagons) and eglah (calf) share the same Hebrew root. This linguistic connection was a powerful sign to Yaakov that Yosef was alive, faithful to their shared Torah study, and still bound to his spiritual roots. Seeing this, Yaakov understood that Yosef had remained spiritually connected despite his decades in Egypt. It was not just that Yosef survived the corruption of Egypt; he thrived, holding fast to his Jewish identity and values. For Yaakov, this reaffirmed that the mission of living as a Jew, even in exile, was achievable.
This brings us to a profound insight into darkness. Often, we view darkness merely as a backdrop to appreciate light. However, Chassidus teaches that darkness itself has intrinsic value. Hashem does not create anything without purpose. The body, often compared to darkness due to its lack of spiritual awareness, exemplifies this idea. While the soul—a revealed expression of godliness—is lofty, the body has a unique chosenness by Hashem. When Hashem chose the Jewish people, He chose their bodies, not their souls. The soul’s divine nature is evident, but the body’s holiness lies in its very essence, as a direct creation of Hashem.
The ultimate goal is to reveal this hidden sanctity, demonstrating that even what appears mundane or devoid of holiness can become a vessel for godliness. This was Yaakov’s achievement in Egypt. By establishing a Torah-based life in the heart of spiritual darkness, he revealed the inherent potential of even the most challenging circumstances to be transformed into light.
This lesson is deeply relevant to our lives. Often, we find ourselves in “Egypts”—environments or situations that feel spiritually barren or even hostile. The story of Yaakov reminds us that these moments are not only opportunities for survival but also for revealing deeper connections to Hashem. The body, the physical world, and the challenges of exile all contain hidden sparks of holiness waiting to be uncovered through our efforts.
Yaakov’s best years teach us that true living—“vayechi”—is not defined by external circumstances but by the spiritual vitality we bring to them. By embracing Torah and mitzvos, even in dark times, we illuminate the world around us and fulfill our ultimate purpose. This is why our generation, although the lowest, will merit to bring Moshiach: because we reveal Hashem even in the darkest places. In doing so, we transform exile into redemption, revealing Hashem’s presence in every corner of existence.
Adapted from “Its Good to Know” Rabbi Manis Friedman