Rabbi Perez questions why Esau has the reputation for great evil, yet no real evidence of his evil deeds appears in the Tanakh. Esau is portrayed is somewhat “uncouth”, rather than a truly bad person. The answer lies in the use of the word listom, to be so evil as to plot revenge rather than just to be angry
Rabbi Levin observes an imbalance between speech and silence, and what it reflects about power and action. In particular, Jacob’s plans and speech are prominent, whereas the women, who are central to the narrative have no voice. What does it mean to speak in a world where being heard constitutes power while being silenced means marginalization?
Rabbi Sacks writes that the Sages attributed the institution of evening prayer to this parashah, based on 2 words; vayifga – encountered, or entreated, and bamakom – the place, for God. While Abraham represents the morning and Isaac represents the afternoon, Jacob represents the night – a time of fear and flight and darkness