בראשית, פרק ל״ג, פסוק ו׳

The tense reunion with Esau reaches its climax as Jacob’s family steps forward in a carefully calculated order. The women of the family display remarkable courage, taking the lead in the face of potential danger. The maidservants and their children are the first to approach. Following a hint or direct instruction from Jacob, the maidservants advance [העמק דבר]. Having watched Jacob humble himself before Esau, they reason that if their master adopts the posture of a servant, they must certainly do the same [אלשיך, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Initially, their children stand in front of them. However, the maidservants, accustomed to submission and acting with bravery, step past their children to take the front line [אלשיך, רש״ר הירש].

A significant discussion arises regarding who actually bowed to Esau, as the historical account emphasizes the specific actions of the women. The primary approach among commentators is that only the maidservants bowed, while their children initially refused [הטור, רא״ש, דעת זקנים, חזקוני ועוד]. This reluctance stemmed from a sense of status and pride. The children argued that although their mothers were maidservants whose social standing required them to bow, they themselves were free men and sons of Jacob, making such submission inappropriate. Others suggest that the children were simply too young to participate in the bowing [מלבי״ם]. However, it is agreed that later on, once these children saw the sons of the primary wives, Leah and Rachel, bowing to Esau, they changed their minds and followed suit [טור, פענח רזא].

Conversely, other scholars firmly reject the idea that the children refused to bow [בכור שור, הדר זקנים]. They argue that it is unthinkable for the children to remain standing after watching their father bow to the ground seven times. According to this perspective, everyone present bowed without exception. Because the mothers and children walked together, the children were viewed as secondary to their mothers, who were the main figures leading the advance. Therefore, the act of bowing is attributed primarily to the women [העמק דבר, פענח רזא].