Daf Yomi - Taanis 5 Lekavod Shabbos

The Gemara states that Yaakov Avinu never died. Based on a verse, the Gemara expounds that just like the descendants of Yaakov are alive, so too Yaakov is alive. The Maharal writes in Gur Aryeh (Bereishis 49:33) that death is finite, and from all the Patriarchs, it is specifically regarding Yaakov that there is no end. Based on the words of the Sfas Emes, we can explain this to be alluding to Shabbos, as one who delights in the Shabbos will merit that which is said, az tisanag al HaShem vihirkavticho al bamasei haaretz vhaachalticho nachlas Yaakov avicho ki pi HaShem dibeir, then you will delight in Hashem, and I will mount you astride the heights of the world; I will provide you the heritage of your forefather Yaakov, for the mouth of Hashem has spoken. Death is finite, but Yaakov and his descendants live on through the merit of Shabbos, which is a heritage that has no parameters.