The Death of Esav

It is told that when Yitzchok Ovinu passed away, Esav, Yaakov and all the Shevatim went to bury him. Yaakov and his sons sat down and began to weep in the Cave of Machpelah. Out of respect for their father, the Shevatim left the cave so that they would not see him weeping.

Then Esav slipped into the cave, for he thought, "Now that my father has died, I will kill Yaakov." When Yehudah saw that Esav had gone in after Yaakov, he thought, "Now Esav will kill Father." He entered the cave just as Esav was about to strike, and he slew Esav from behind.

Why did he not slay him from the front? Because Esav's face resembled the face of Yaakov. For this reason Yaakov blessed Yehudah, "Your hand is at your enemies' nape" (Bereishis 49:8). The Romans, too, received a tradition from their fathers that Yehudah slew Esav (Yerushalmi Gittin 5:7).