Yaakov, the third of the Ushpizin, is a traveler, constantly struggling on a journey. As he mentions to his sons and later to Pharaoh, he does not have an easy life. He is beset with many troubles and tragedies. He struggled in the womb, he had to flee for his life when his brother sought to kill him and eventually he had to face that brother. He had to struggle against Lavan, fleeing with his family and then standing his ground in a verbal face-off. Various sons made his life very difficult. He had to move from place to place, again and again. But these struggles led to a strengthening of character and resolve. He stood his ground against Lavan, the mysterious (divine) wrestler, and Esav and prevailed. He refused to be consoled when confronted with Yosef’s apparent death, and hurried to see him when he heard that Yosef still lived. He insisted that he be buried in the Land of Canaan.
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