Halakhah zu Bereschit 37:8

That special merit accrues to one who dwells in the Land of Israel even in the absence of a divine commandment, and indeed even before it became the homeland of the Jewish nation, may be inferred from the midrashic comment upon the verse "And Jacob was sorely afraid" (Gen. 37:8). Jacob's fear seems to be groundless. Earlier, while fleeing from the wrath of his brother Esau, God had promised him, "And behold I am with you and I will watch over you wherever you will go" (Gen. 28:15). Why, then does Jacob find cause for fear upon his return from the home of Laban? The Midrash comments that Jacob feared a confrontation with his brother Esau because, "All those years Esau dwelt in the Land of Israel; perhaps he will come against me, by virtue of the power of residence in the Land of Israel."¹⁶Bereshit Rabbah 76:2.