Why Jacob Invoked God's Name to Make Esau Afraid

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 33:10

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"As one sees the face of God," and so forth. And why does Jacob mention the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, here? In order to make him fear and to terrify him. Esau said: the Holy One, blessed be He, has drawn near to him with this honor — I cannot prevail against him. A parable: of a companion who seeks to kill his fellow. They chanced to come together at one feast. The one said: the taste of this dish is like the taste of a dish that I tasted in the king's house. That man said: is it indeed so, that this one is a familiar of the king's house? Immediately he became afraid of him.

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Biblical References

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