Page 473 - BERESHIT

“Stay far from an evil neighbor and do not join a rasha.” And so Yaakov
made a pact with Lavan and broke off from Eisav.
Yaakov mentioned to Eisav the mitzvot that he kept while living at
Lavan’s house. By stressing his spiritual perseverance, Yaakov was
warning Eisav that he would not lessen his opposition to evil. Despite
Eisav being his own brother, Yaakov was willing to sever all contact if
necessary, were Eisav to try to sway him from doing good.
Yaakov rejected Eisav’s offer, preferring to travel alone. He didn’t even
turn in Eisav’s direction. Instead, Yaakov hid Dina from Eisav. Chazal
say, though, that Yaakov should have tried to influence Eisav for the good.
This indicates our need to influence our ‘brethren’ to Torah and towards
a more spiritual way of life.

“Then Yaakov sent angels ahead of him to
Eisav his brother to the land of Seir, the field of
Edom. He charged them, saying, ‘Thus shall
you say: To my lord, to Eisav, so said your
servant Yaakov: I have sojourned with Lavan
and have lingered until now. I have acquired
oxen and donkeys, flocks, servants, and
maidservants and I am sending to tell my lord to
find favor in your eyes’”

(Bereishit 32:4-6)