Parashas Vayeishev · Passuk 37:1
And Yaakov settled in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Kenaan.
Torah Temimah points to Sanhedrin 106a.
TT lemma: וישב יעקב.
English: Rabbi Yochanan said: Every place where it is stated “and he settled” is nothing other than language of distress, as it is stated: “And Yisrael settled in Shittim and the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moav.” “And Yaakov settled in the land of his father’s sojournings in the land of Kenaan,” “And Yosef brought their evil report to their father.”
Derash on the verse (Bavli sugya) — not a formal named middah of the 13. The word “vayeshev” is read consistently as a harbinger of distress across multiple narratives.
When Scripture uses the verb “vayeshev” (and he settled), it regularly introduces a period of trouble rather than tranquil residence. Yaakov’s attempt to settle in Kenaan is immediately followed by the turmoil surrounding Yosef.