Yaakov as the Most Complete of the Forefathers
Therefore, Yaakov was said to be “The most complete of the Fathers.” Since he was “unlike Avraham, from whom came Yishmael.” This was because Avraham embodied the attribute of undiluted Chesed-Kindness, without limits. Therefore, his kindness extended too much even to those who were unworthy, to the point that he requested from Hashem, “If only Yishmael would live before You...” Yishmael represents Chesed-Kindness of Kelipa-unholiness. By asking Hashem to give Yishmael additional life, this unintentionally gave additional life to unholiness.
And the same was true of Yitzchak regarding the attribute of Gevurah-Severity. Yitzchak’s intensity was also absolute and without limits. From him came Eisav, who represents Gevura-Severity of Kelipa-unholiness. Because of this, Eisav’s severity was also absolute, giving him the potential to have absolute cruelty.
However, since Yaakov’s sons were all righteous, he was known as “the most complete of the Forefathers.” He was able to unite the opposites of Ratzo V’Shov-Running to leave physicality and come close to Hashem and Returning to the body and physical life in order to fulfill the Torah and mitzvos in the physical world, as explained above.
The fact that Yaakov’s children were all righteous was connected to the fact that his attribute was Tiferes, the ability to merge opposite aspects.
