Yaakov remained in Canaan out of loyalty to his family heritage, whereas Esav divorced himself from the legacy of Avraham and Yitzchak, and therefore found a different land for establishing his permanent residence.
Parashat Vayeshev begins, “Yaakov dwelled in the land of his father’s residence – in the land of Canaan.”
A number of commentators addressed the question of why the Torah emphasized the fact that Yaakov chose to live “in the land of his father’s residence.” Chizkuni explains that Yaakov’s residence in Canaan confirmed the fulfillment of God’s promise to Avraham that his descendants would inherit the land he inhabited. The Torah stressed the fact that Yaakov settled in the land in which his predecessors had lived, just as God had guaranteed his grandfather, “I shall give you and your offspring after you the land of your residence” (17:8).
The Rashbam and Ramban explain this verse as intended to draw a contrast between Yaakov and Esav. The previous section tells of the Edomite kingdom established by Esav, emphasizing that Esav left Canaan and separated with his brother, choosing instead to settle in Edom (see 36:6). Now, as the Torah returns to the story of Yaakov and the formation of the Israelite nation, it notes that as opposed to Esav, who left his predecessors’ homeland, Yaakov remained “in the land of his father’s residence.” This is significant, the Rashbam writes, because Yaakov’s residence in Canaan reflected his confirmed status as the firstborn of the family. The Ramban, by contrast, mentions Yaakov and his children’s decision to remain in the “chosen land” as the crucial point of distinction between Yaakov and Esav.
This point is further developed by the Radak, who, in his comments to this verse, refers us to his earlier remarks, in his commentary to Parashat Vayishlach (35:27). There the Torah similarly emphasizes that Yaakov resided in Chevron, “where Avraham Yitzchak lived.” The Radak explains this emphasis as intended to instruct that “it is proper for a person to live in the city of his forefathers, showing honor to the forefathers who are buried there.” Establishing residence in one’s forefathers’ area is an expression of honor and fealty to the family, and it is for this reason that the Torah draws our attention to Yaakov’s decision to remain in the land of Avraham and Yitzchak.
If so, then the Torah here seeks to emphasize not merely the geographical difference between the residences of Yaakov and Esav, but the attitudes this difference reflects. Yaakov remained in Canaan out of loyalty to his family heritage, whereas Esav divorced himself from the legacy of Avraham and Yitzchak, and therefore found a different land for establishing his permanent residence.
This difference between Yaakov and Esav likely underlies a famous Midrashic tradition concerning Yaakov’s “purchase” of the birthright from Esav, as told in Parashat Toledot (chapter 25). Rashi (25:30) cites from the Midrash that this event occurred on the day when Avraham died, and Yaakov prepared a stew to provide food for the mourners, as was (and is) customary. It is perhaps revealing that while Yaakov was at home assisting his grieving father, Esav was out hunting, and he then requested some of the food that his brother had prepared for his father. Yaakov participated in the bereavement for Avraham, whereas Esav flatly ignored his grandfather’s death. Understandably, Yaakov decided on that day to seize the opportunity to obtain the birthright from his older twin. Having demonstrated his loyalty to the family in contrast to his brother’s indifference, Yaakov found it necessary to ensure that he would be named heir to the legacy of Avraham and Yitzchak, the legacy which he cherished and was committed to perpetuating. Esav’s notable absence from the family’s grieving process proved that he was unworthy of assuming a leadership role in the family. Sure enough, Esav severed the ties with his family and established himself in Edom, while Yaakov chose to live “in the land of his father’s residence,” passionately determined to continue the spiritual legacy of his father and grandfather in the land promised to them by the Almighty.