Jewish Temperament

The forefathers are referred to as a merkavah, a chariot for G-d, meaning that every step they took was in complete accordance with G-d’s will. This was possible because their entire self was wholly dedicated to G-d. This, however, didn’t detract from their particular personalities, and it is for this reason that each of the forefathers represent a different spectrum of G-d’s attributes, directly corresponding to their own temperament.

What’s more, the Gemara states that all Jewish people possess three qualities: humility, empathy, and generosity. These qualities are inherited from the forefathers, with each one contributing a different quality. It turns out that each of the forefathers specifically contributed the quality that most represented their own temperament.

Yaakov is famously cited in Chassidus as representing the center path — meaning the unifying path — of the sefirot, which include da’as, tiferes, and yesod. Yaakov is referred to as “the attribute of truth”, which is understood to mean the center path, that which unifies the right and left. In this way, Yaakov was an Idealist, embodying such traits as diplomatic intelligence, authenticity, mystical, romantic, and peace-seeking. Let’s take a look:

Diplomatic intelligence: There are many instances in the Torah where Yaakov displays his innate understanding of people, and his skill of influencing them for good. Here are a few examples:
In conversation with Eisav, Yaakov addressed his brother with utmost respect, consistently appealing to Eisav’s desire for power by referring to him as “my master”. And later, Yaakov tactfully declined unwanted offers of companionship from Eisav, knowing as he did how quickly their fragile relationship could sour.
When his son Yosef announced his ambitious dreams before Yaakov and his sons, Yaakov diplomatically pointed to the falsehood the dream contained in the hopes that this would ameliorate his sons’ animosity towards Yosef. He did this even though he himself believed the dreams to be true, and anticipated their fulfillment.
Yaakov teaches us proper etiquette when addressing a king, blessing Pharaoh at the beginning and end of his audience with him.
In connection to requesting of Yosef to fulfill his last wish, Yaakov makes sure to resolve a potential sore point for Yosef — the seeming ordinary burial of his mother Rochel.
Yaakov was very in-tune with the personality, needs, and desires of each of his sons, so that he was able to bless each one personally and intimately. At that time, Yaakov made sure to give Yosef his due, bowing to him as the viceroy of Egypt, despite also being his own son.

Authenticity: When Yaakov’s mother instructed him to trick his father, Yaakov registered his protest to such a plan, specifically being concerned that his father will discover his plot and consider him a liar. Even when carrying out the plan, Yaakov goes out of his way not to actually lie, instead skirting the truth to allow his father to draw his own conclusions.
Before the epic confrontation with his brother Eisav, Yaakov requested G-d’s protection, although it had already been promised to him. Yaakov considered himself unworthy of G-d’s protection, thinking it may have already been used up by all the favors G-d had already done for him.
In Yaakov’s battle with Eisav’s angel, he demanded the angel recognize his claim to the firstborn rights and the blessings of Yitzchak. The angel informed Yaakov that he would at a later date affirm Yaakov’s claims, when G-d would change his name — indeed, his identity — to Yisroel (“the Nobleman of G-d”). But this wasn’t enough for Yaakov. He forced the angel to acknowledge his title then and there.
Later in life, Yaakov consistently blamed himself for events that transpired to him. One of his greatest fears was to fail in his life-mission to build the Jewish nation out of his twelve sons. If one were to die beyond Yaakov’s control, he would still consider it a personal failure, to the extent that he would expect to suffer in “שאול” for it.

Mystical: Angels were a big part of Yaakov’s life: he had multiple dreams about angels, with some ascending and descending his famed ladder, and others helping in his financial disputes with Lavan. He is said to have been accompanied by angels on his way to Charan, and met by more on his way back. Yaakov even wrestled with an angel while he was preparing to meet his brother Eisav.
Two major events in Yaakov’s life developed as a result of his intuition, or רוח הקודש: He sent his son Yosef to check on his brothers, though he knew it meant risking his life, because Yaakov “saw” that it would affect great positive change. And later, Yaakov sent his sons to Egypt, having “seen” that there was hope there.

Romantic: The first time Yaakov gazed upon his cousin and future wife, Rochel, he was so star-struck that he rolled a huge boulder off a well single-handedly — a feat usually accomplished by many men. He kissed her even before introducing himself, and he said that the seven years he had to wait before marrying her felt like a few days.
When Yaakov decided to leave his father-in-law’s house, he made a point to ask his wives if they were okay with leaving.
Yaakov famously mourned for his lost son unconsolably for twenty-two consecutive years. In fact, Yaakov is recorded as having cried at least four times in the Torah, and every one of them was in connection to a relationship.

Peace-seeking: Yaakov avoided confrontation, and sought reconciliation all his life. First, he ran from his brother Eisav, but later made peace with him in a grand brotherly spectacle. He also requested leave of his father-in-law multiple times, but couldn’t bring himself to actually go without his blessing. When Yaakov finally got the message from G-d that it was time to leave, he didn’t request it or demand it of Lavan. He didn’t even inform him. He snuck out in middle of the night. All, to avoid the confrontation. Later, when Lavan caught up with Yaakov, they ended up coming to terms.
When his daughter Dinah was abducted and violated, the high-ranking offender had the audacity to request her hand in marriage. Yaakov didn’t respond at all, instead leaving the matter to his more confrontational sons.
Towards the end of his life, Yaakov settled down with but one request: he wanted to spend the rest of his days in tranquility. He first had to go through twenty-two years of hell, but in the end, he got what he asked for.

In the end, it is fitting that Yaakov, who takes the role of Idealist — the unifying type — bequeathed the quality of empathy to all his descendants for all generations.