And he commanded them, saying, “So shall you say to my master to Eisav, ‘So said your servant Yaakov, “I have sojourned (IM LAVAN GARTI) with Laban, and I have tarried until now. (Breishis 32:5)
I have sojourned: גַּרְתִּי. I did not become an officer or a dignitary, but a stranger (גֵּר). It is not worthwhile for you to hate me on account of your father’s blessing, [with] which he blessed me (27:29): “You shall be a master over your brothers,” for it was not fulfilled in me – Another explanation: גַּרְתִּי has the numerical value of 613 (TARYAG). That is to say: I lived with the wicked Lavan, but I kept the 613 commandments, and I did not learn from his evil deeds. Rashi
Yaakov is sending a mixed message to Eisav. On the one hand he is keeping a low profile and playing down his success. Eisav’s hatred stems from the blessings that Yaakov received from their father and he wants to let Eisav know that he gained no advantage from that Brocha. On the other hand, Yaakov is portraying and projecting strength. I have survived Lavan and remained a dutiful servant to HASHEM, fulfilling 613 Mitzvos. I have not compromised even a little on my ultimate principles and values, in spite of the hostile environment created by Lavan. I am still worthy and deserving of the Brochos.
Why is the word that expresses Yaakov’s sojourning (GARTI) the very same word that hints to his fulfillment of 613 Mitzvos (TARYAG)? Why is this word, “GARTI” loaded with both messages? What’s the connection between being a temporary denizen and keeping 613 Mitzvos?
The Chovos HaLevavos, in the Gate on Cheshbon HaNefesh, Self-Reflection, offers 30 lenses and ways to contemplate and consider our condition in this world. The 30th is that we are in fact a stranger in a strange land: …He should consider his status like that of a stranger who came from a faraway land and did not know even one of the inhabitants of the country he came to, and not one of them knew him. The king of the country had pity on him in that he was a stranger, and instructed him in that which will further his welfare. He provided him with his daily sustenance, and commanded him not to rebel against his laws, and not to transgress his commands. And he informed him of the benefit and reward if he obeyed him and scared him with the punishments (he would receive if he disobeyed him), appropriate for the time and place. And the king warned the immigrant that a time will come when he must leave there, but he did not reveal to him when this time would be.
Among the conditions he is obligated in: Submission and humility, and to abandon arrogance, and to distance from pride and haughtiness…To be prepared for the journey and for moving on, and to not become comfortable and settled in…as King David said: “I am a stranger in the land; hide not Your commandments from me”
…To be satisfied with whatever food he gets, and with whatever house and clothing he can find, and to conduct himself in all his manners on subsistence level and not to exert himself (for amassing luxuries… To prepare for the journey and to consider what provisions he will need on the way…Therefore, my brother, take on yourself the conditions of being a stranger in this world, because you are in truth a stranger in it.
It has been famously reported that a traveling salesman came to Radin to seek out the Chofetz Chaim and when he peeked into the Tzadik’s modest home, he was alarmed at how sparsely furnished it was. He asked the sainted Rebbe, “Where is your furniture?” The Chofetz Chaim asked him, “Where is yours?” The man responded, “I am a traveling salesman. I am just passing through.” The Chofetz Chaim told him, “I too am just passing through!”
It could very well be that Yaakov’s message and the Torah’s lesson to us is that is exactly the way to fulfill TARYAG MITZVOS to view one’s self as a stranger, just passing through.