Rashi explains that Yaakov was frightened that he would be killed, and he was distressed that, in his efforts to protect his family, he might kill acheirim, others. What did Yaakov fear? He had every reason to defend himself against Eisav. The Melei HaOmer explains that Yaakov purchased the firstborn birthright from Eisav for the express purpose that the avodah, service, in the Bais HaMikdash would be conducted by bechorim, firstborn, and he would be a b’chor. However, if he would kill Eisav – even by right – he could no longer serve. A Kohen that kills someone, even b’shogeig, unintentionally, may no longer serve in the Bais HaMikdash. This is what disconcerted our Patriarch.
Horav Naftali Maryles (nineteenth century Rav of Litovisk) asks why Rashi adds that Yaakov feared killing acheirim, others? His basic fear was Eisav – not anyone else. He cites Chazal (Gittin 56A) who relate that Ceasar Nero ultimately converted. The famous Tanna, Rabbi Meir, student of Rabbi Akiva, was one of his descendants. The Romans, of whom Nero was a Ceasar, were descendants of Eisav/ Edom. Thus, Rashi writes that Yaakov feared killing Eisav, which would prevent the birth of Rabbi Meir who was called Acheirim. Chazal (Horayos 14) explain that the Mishnah often refers to Rabbi Meir as Acheirim, because Rebbe (Yehudah HaNasi), the redactor of the Mishnah, did not want to refer to Rabbi Meir by name, since he had attempted to unseat Rebbe’s father, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, from his position as Nasi.
