30 Kislev: Quality of Life

QUALITY OF LIFE Pharaoh asked Yaakov, “How old are you?” Yaakov answered, “...One hundred and thirty years; the days of my life have been few...” (Bereishis 47:8-9) When Pharaoh asked Yaakov his age, Yaakov stated that he lived one hundred and thirty years but that his days were few. Yaakov was not indicating that a hundred and thirty years was a short time; rather, he was speaking of the quality of his days. Specifically, Yaakov felt that his days were lacking because he was missing the Redemption. As Yaakov and the Jewish people entered Egypt, the first exile, he immediately told Pharaoh that the Jews were not there to simply exist and live a good physical life. We must live a G-dly life of meaning and purpose. We are here to transform and elevate the world to a G-dly place. Sefer HaSichos 5752, Mikeitz, Shabbos Chanukah, pp. 205-6