When the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek was a child, he learned from his teacher that the explanation of the verse "Yaakov lived in the land of Egypt" is that the best years of the life of Yaakov Avinu were precisely in Egypt. When he returned to his house he asked his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe, how is it possible that Yaakov, the chosen one of the Patriarchs, lived better precisely in an impure place, the land of Egypt? What is the answer? And what can we learn from this for our daily service to G-d?
The Alter Rebbe's answer was that Yaakov worried before going to Egypt that a place to study would be set up, and so Yaakov and his sons had a “Torah life” in Egypt, and these were their best years. He was also able to find his son Joseph, who, despite not being in contact with his father and his family for 22 years, continued to be a tzaddik. After years of suffering, Yaakov could see that all of his children continued to be tzaddikim and clinging to the Torah, which gave him much pleasure. The most significant light is precisely that which comes after the deepest darkness, and not only that which raises above the darkness, the category of that light transforms the darkness itself into light. Because of this, the light of holiness, not only did Yaakov and his children in Egypt deserve a higher life, they also deserved to change the darkness of Egypt itself into light through their study of Torah.
The mission of every Jew is to transform the darkness of the galut that surrounds him into light, and for this to free himself, as well as his family and the whole world. Even in the most impure place, Egypt, he can illuminate the darkness and live a completely Jewish life. The intensity of the light mainly depends on how much energy and dedication you invest in studying our holy Torah, and this has a great impact and influence on your surroundings. This is the best preparation to receive our righteous Messiah soon in our day.
