parsha bit: Vayishlach

[cellio]

The torah tells us that Yaakov was "afraid and distressed" about meeting Eisav again on his return to the land. The rabbis ask: aren't "afraid" and "distressed" the same thing? Rabbi Yehudah bar Ilai says: Yaakov feared two things; he was afraid that he might be slain by Eisav, and he was distressed that he might have to kill Eisav. (Genesis Rabbah 76:2)