The Turning Wheel of Life: Finding Purpose in Every Challenge

The word “life” carries two meanings. On a basic level, it refers simply to existence — the state opposite of death. On a deeper level, “life” describes something far richer: inner joy, spiritual fulfillment, activity, initiative, and growth. It is the experience of truly feeling alive.

Every person has moments when they are merely alive, and moments when they truly feel alive in the fullest sense.

Yaakov’s Life Reignited

As we conclude the Book of Bereishit — the book of the Patriarchs, it is clear that Yaakov’s life was filled with struggle and sorrow. Only a small portion of his years were marked by genuine inner vitality.

Our portion begins with the words, “And Yaakov lived” — “Jacob lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years.” The expression “lived” suggests that in those final seventeen years, Yaakov once again felt truly alive.

When did this renewal begin? From the moment he heard that Yosef was still alive:

“They told him, ‘Yosef is still alive, and he rules over all the land of Egypt.’ His heart faltered, for he did not believe them… But when he saw the wagons that Yosef had sent to carry him, the spirit of Yaakov their father was revived” (Bereishit 45:26–27).

The Message of the Wagons

Beyond the simple meaning, there is a deeper message in the wagons Yosef sent.

Yaakov understood that there is a difference between existing and truly living. Hearing that Yosef was alive was not enough. What kind of life was Yosef living? Had he remained the righteous Yosef, or had he become like the Egyptians around him?

Yaakov also worried about the family. The truth about Yosef’s fate meant his sons had deceived him. Would this lead to division, resentment, or even revenge?

Only when Yaakov saw the wagons did his spirit come alive again.

The Circle of Life’s Journey

The Hebrew word for wagon, “עגלה” (agalah), is related to “עגול” (circle). What defines a wagon are its round wheels, which move forward by constantly turning, so that what is below rises above, and what is above descends below, again and again.

Through the wagons, Yosef sent a subtle message: do not despair over the descent into Egypt. What appears to be a descent will ultimately become an ascent, for you and for your descendants.

This is why the Torah uses the phrase “to carry him” rather than the usual expression of “going down” to Egypt. Yosef was telling his father: this journey will elevate you.

A New Way of Seeing Events

When Yaakov understood this message, he realized something profound. Yosef had maintained this perspective throughout his entire life. At his highest moments, he remained humble. At his lowest, he never lost hope.

Yosef saw life as a circle, without a fixed beginning or end. Every point is both a cause and a result. What seems like a chain of events driven by human actions is, in truth, guided by a deeper Divine purpose.

From a surface perspective, the brothers’ jealousy led to Yosef’s sale, which led to the descent into Egypt. However, Yosef reveals the opposite: the descent into Egypt was the ultimate goal all along, and everything else was simply the means to bring it about.

As he told his brothers, “It was not you who sent me here, but God.”

From Pain to Purpose

If we could see life the way Yosef did, we would be spared so much pain, arguments, resentment, and frustration that come from believing everything is controlled solely by human actions.

When we recognize that even the most difficult events are part of a larger Divine plan, something shifts within us. The hardships themselves become part of the process that leads us forward.

When Yaakov grasped this perspective, “the spirit of Yaakov their father was revived.” New life flowed through him.

Understanding that there is a purpose behind every turn of the wheel gives a person renewed strength, clarity, and peace.

Listening to the Turning Wheel

As we close the Book of Bereishit, we are left with a powerful insight: life is not a straight line of cause and effect. It is a turning wheel, guided by a higher hand.

If we learn to listen and truly hear the quiet movement of that wheel, we may find ourselves living not just in existence, but in a deeper, fuller sense of life.