Rashi says: “When Yaakov sought to dwell in tranquility (shalva), the troubles of Yosef sprang upon him. The righteous seek to dwell in tranquility. Hashem said: What is prepared for the righteous in the world to come is not sufficient for them, but they seek also to dwell in tranquility in this world!’”
We may ask why it was considered wrong for Yaakov to want to live in tranquility. Don’t we see that many tzadikim live tranquil, peaceful lives?
Sefer Zeved Tov quotes Rav Tzvi Hirsch of Ziditchoiv zy”a as explaining that there is a difference between shalom and shalva. “Shalom” means to live comfortably with more than enough to satisfy one’s needs, whereas “shalva” means to have just enough. This is seen from the pasuk (Mishlei 17:1): “Course bread with shalva is good...”
Yaakov wanted to live with shalva, and nothing more. He asked Hashem for just enough “bread to eat and clothes to wear” (Bereishis 28:20). Hashem, however, wanted to give him more. Out of His great love for Yaakov, He wanted him to have an abundance of good.
He learns that when Rashi states that Hashem told Yaakov that “it is enough for tzadikim to live in peace”, this is not meant as a question. Rather, it is a statement of fact. Hashem wants tzadikim to enjoy this world, but all they ask for is “shalva”, just enough to live.
Because of this, Hashem sent Yaakov down to Mitzrayim, where he had shalom, as Sefarim Hakedoshim say that his main enjoyment of life came during the 17 years he lived there. They learn this from the words “and Yaakov lived” (Bereishis 47:28), which indicate that these were his years of true life, free from worldly problems.
