Vayishlach 5774

Yaakov davens to Hashem to save him "from the hands of his brother, the hands of Esav" (32:12). Why does Yaakov need to say both? We know Esav is his brother! The Beis Halevi explains that both terms are necessary. As Jews, we are either befriended by the Gentiles and they become a bad influence on us or we are persecuted by them. Yaakov is davening for protection from both aspects. He puts the term "brother" first because it is worse to befriend a bad person and learn from him.