ויאמר יעקב אל פרעה ימי שני מגורי שלשים ומאת שנה מעט ורעים היו ימי שני חיי. Why does Yaakov split his statement saying the years of his life and then adding that they were difficult years? And why does he switch from saying שני מגורי to שני חיי? The Ohr Eliezer says that Yaakov was referring to two different parts of his life. In terms of his temporary dwelling, גור, he spent 130 years in the world. However, in terms of his שני חיי, his real live, his sense of חיות, the life of ruchniut, those years were few and interrupted by many troubles. ולא השיגו את ימי שני חיי אבתי, my years of peaceful life of spiritual growth have not reached those of my fathers. That is why in the next parsha it singles out ויחי יעקב בארץ מצרים שבע עשרה שנה. Why mention in specific part of his life? Because those were days of real חיים, days where he was able to have peace of mind and focus on spiritual growth. The Ballei Mussar use this idea to bring out what one's perspective on life should be. The focus is on self refinement and spiritual growth.
However, the Midrash (cited in Daas Zekanim) is critical of Yaakov for 'complaining.' Why is the Midrash critical if Yaakov was bemoaning his lack of time to be devoted with a peace of mind to his spiritual growth?
The Meshech Chachma points out that of all the Avot it is only Yaakov that we find Hashem comes to give him a message at night. When he is leaving Eretz Yisroel to Lavan he has his dream at night and again before descending into Egypt. The M.C. says this is because Hashem guides Yaakov even in the darkness of golus. When it is a time of trouble, ביום צרה ישגבך שם אלקי יעקב. It is the the the fact that we are connected to Yaakov that gives us reason for salvation. On his level Yaakov was held accountable for not understanding it was his avodah of going through the hardships but still remaining יעקב שלימתא that paved the path for Klal Yisroel to survive through the golut.
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