עם לבן גרתי
Yaakov Avinu’s message to Eisav, Im Lavan garti, is the focus of much commentary. After all, does Eisav really care about Yaakov’s past lodging? He is interested in only one thing: exacting revenge against his brother for cheating him out of his rightful blessings. This was Eisav’s perception. Yaakov’s message does not seem to align with Eisav’s complaint and mission focused on revenge. Rashi cites Chazal who render garti, I sojourned/lodged, in two different ways: “I have not become the great prince which you perceive was the intent of the blessings. I am still Yaakov, merely a ger, alien. You…
