An example of Yaakov’s ability to utilize what strength he had
“And he arrived at the place and lodged there… and he lay down in that place.” (Bereishis 28:11)
Rashi explains that the words, “He lay in that place,” indicate that during the 14 preceding years, which he spent learning Torah in Yeshivas Shem V’Ever, Yaakov didn’t sleep or even lie down at all.
Is this even physically feasible? (Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz, Kovetz Sichos)
I think I was born tired. Why else would I have slept so much as an infant? I can’t remember ever not being tired in the last 20-plus years. Even now, with my youngest (usually) sleeping through the night, I’m still living in a constant state of exhaustion. It must be a bad habit. Me and Ernest Hemingway, who said, “I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I’m awake.”
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