Yaakov’s Sheep

According to the above, it is understood the three abovementioned points regarding Yaakov’s sheep:

1. Yaakov’s success came as a direct result of his “sheep,” his complete submission to the Almighty. Only through this nullification did he acquire his other “possessions” and the strength of his personal identity.
2. Though Yaakov primarily served G-d through self-nullification, it was imperative that he include the service of “maidservants, manservants, camels and donkeys.” He needed to also employ his personal strengths to accomplish his spiritual mission. Yet, even after accumulating other forms of wealth, Yaakov always kept his sheep, and in fact they remained the main component of his wealth. Meaning to say, that even when a person is involved with fighting the darkness of the world with the necessary strength and force, his total subservience to G-d must always remain primary.
3. When Yaakov told Esav about the property that he had acquired, he did not mention his sheep—i.e. his humility—as his first possession, even though this was his primary possession. Yaakov wanted to instill fear in Esav, and therefore first mentioned all the great things that he had accomplished. He first spoke of his strength, not his humility. This is what Yaakov must portray to others. Concerning himself however, his main asset was the sheep, his subservience to the Almighty.