Then Jacob was greatly afraid, and distressed

Then Jacob was greatly afraid, and distressed (Gen. 32:8)
According to Rashi, Jacob was worried over the possibility that he would be forced to kill "acheirim," literally "others." Our Sages, however, relate that "Acheirim" was also the name of the famous Rabbi Meir, who was descended from the Roman Emperor Nero, who converted to Judaism. Jacob was thus afraid that if he killed Esau, he would thereby be preventing the great sage from being born.


(Peninim Yekarim)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau (Gen. 32:12)

The repetition of the word "hand" indicates that Jacob was afraid of two separate dangers: the "hand of Esau," Esau's brute physical power, and "the hand of my brother," Esau's brotherly love. Esau's sword posed a threat to Jacob's physical well-being, but socializing with him would be an even greater threat to his soul.


(Rabbi Yosef Ber Soloveitchik)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And he commanded also (gam) the second, also (gam) the third, also (gam) all that followed the droves (Gen. 32:20)

The Hebrew word "gam" (spelled gimmel-mem) is used three times to allude to the three historical redemptions of the Jewish people through the three tzadikim [righteous]: The first was "geulat Moshe," the redemption from Egypt led by Moses. The second was "geulat Mordechai," the redemption in the times of Mordechai which culminated in the holiday of Purim. And the third will be "geulat Moshiach," who will usher in the Final Redemption.


(Yosher Adam)