Why Esau's Children Fall Only by the Children of Rachel

Rabbi Samuel bar Nachman said: It is a tradition in the hands of the children of Esau that they fall only by the hand of the children of Rachel, as it is said (Jeremiah 49:20), "Surely the youngest of the flock shall drag them away." For if the tribes come to enter into judgment with Esau, saying to him, "Why did you pursue your brother?" — he says to them, "Why did you pursue your brother Joseph?" And they gain no advantage over him. But when he comes before Joseph, he says to him, "Why did you pursue your brother?" — and he is unable to answer him. And if you should say that he did evil to you, [Joseph answers]: My brothers too repaid me evil, yet I repaid them good. Immediately he is silent. As it is said (Isaiah 47:14), "Behold, they are as stubble" — this is Esau, as it is said (Obadiah 1:18), "And the house of Esau shall be stubble." "Fire has burned them" (Isaiah 47:14) — this is Jacob, who is called fire, as it is said (Obadiah 1:18), "And the house of Jacob shall be fire." "They shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame" (Isaiah 47:14) — this is Joseph, who is called flame, as it is said (Obadiah 1:18), "And the house of Joseph a flame."