“He lay down in that place.” (Bereishis 28:11)
“In that place” denotes exclusion. He lay down in that place but throughout the 14 years that he learned in Yeshivas Sheim v’Ever he did not lie down at night for he was involved in Torah study (Rashi).
Even on this occasion the first time in 14 years that Yaakov Avinu lay down he did not lie on a mattress and pillows. Instead he lay on a stone. This indicates that throughout those 14 years of uninterrupted study he did not even lie on a stone.
How is that possible?
Rabbi Chaim Shmulevitz ztz”l explains that this ability to remain awake for 14 years was not attributed to a miracle. Rather the secret of his success stemmed from the fact that he utilized all of his strength. We can conclude from this that any man who utilizes all of his abilities and efforts can achieve unbelievable things.
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