Daily Aliya for Vayeshev, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Joseph arrived and his brothers immediately stripped him of his fancy robe and cast him into a pit. Upon Judah's advice, they subsequently sold him to an Ishmaelite caravan traveling to Egypt, who in turn sold him as a slave to Potiphar, Pharaoh's chief butcher. Meanwhile, the brothers dipped Joseph's robe into blood, and showed it to Jacob, who assumed that Joseph was devoured by a wild beast. Jacob then commenced 22 years of mourning for his beloved son.

Rashi gives us another aspect of the "Measure for Measure" punishment of Yakov. The passuk says that he "mourned for his son MANY DAYS." Rashi says that it was 22 years, the exact length of time that Yakov was away from Yitzchak. It includes the 20 years with Lavan, a year and a half in Sukkot, and six months in Bet El before Yakov returned to his father's house. Why was Yakov punished for being away from his father if he was sent away by his mother to find a wife and hide from Esav? Rabbi Teichman explains that it's because when he was done with all of that, he spent the last 18 months in Sukkot and Bet El instead of rushing home. Once he didn't rush, he was punished for the entire length of time. If ever we needed motivation to grab opportunities (Mitzvot) as they present themselves, this is it!