When the Tzemach Tzedek was a child, his teacher explained the Torah verse, “Yaakov lived in Egypt 17 years” according to the classic commentator, Baal Haturim, who states that those 17 years were the “best years” of Yaakov’s life. When the boy returned home, he asked his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe, how could Yaakov Avinu, the “choicest of the forefathers,” have lived his best years in Egypt, the nethermost of countries?
The Alter Rebbe answered that Yaakov sent Yehuda ahead to prepare the way for the children of Israel. In a Midrash, Rabbi Nechemia states that Yaakov sent Yehuda ahead to establish a House of Torah learning [a Yeshiva] in Goshen so that the tribes would stay close to Hashem. As a result, Yaakov truly lived in Egypt.
Our Rebbe points out the conversation between the Alter Rebbe and his grandson is not just a simple story. Rather, it contains an eternal teaching for all generations, and in every place.
The lesson is that the soul could have served Hashem by learning Torah on high [in Paradise] in a settled way. However, this was not Hashem’s desire.
Yaakov’s years in Egypt represented the best, most fulfilling years of his life --HaYom Yom 18
