Yaakov’s Growth in Galus

Rav Schorr taught that determination and sticking to a goal carry great power for growth. Yaakov Avinu climbed from one madreigah to the next even in galus, and the exile did not affect him negatively at all. The parsha ends with the words “vayifgeu bo malachei hasharais,” the angels met him. The word pegiah suggests chiddush, even shock. The angels were astonished by his great growth and by the fact that it had happened in the house of Lavan. How did it happen? He did not deviate one iota from his avodas Hashem, and this resolve made him grow so much that even the malachim were in awe.