What caused Esav to abruptly change his mind and run to hug and kiss Yaakov?
Rashi and Seforno: His heart softened when he saw Yaakov bowing down to him so many times and humbling himself 1 before him. 2
Rashi (citing the Midrash): Refer to 33:8:1:2**.
According to Targum Yonasan, he simultaneously prayed and begged Hashem for mercy.
The Gemara (Ta'anis 20a) explains that the Navi Achiyah ha'Shiloni compared Yisrael to a reed, due to the fact that it bends before whichever wind blows on it. Indeed, had the zealots (who refused to humble themselves before the Romans) not appeared on the scene, the second Beis-ha'Mikdash would not have been destroyed.
Why are there dots on the word, "va'Yishakehu"?
Rashi #1: To teach us that Esav did not kiss Yaakov with all his heart.
Rashi: #2: Others 1 explain that on the contrary, despite the (unchangeable) fact that Esav hates Yaakov, his heart melted on this occasion 2 and he kissed him with all his heart.
Targum Yonasan, Hadar Zekenim: Esav actually bit Yaakov, whose neck (momentarily) turned into marble, and Esav's teeth came loose. 3
Why did they cry?
Targum Yonasan and Hadar Zekenim: Esav cried because his teeth came loose, 1 and Yaakov, because his neck hurt him. 2
Ha'amek Davar: In both of them, love of the other was aroused.
Is there a difference between what the Torah writes, "va'Yechabekehu... va'Yishakehu;" and 'va'Yechabek Lo... va'Yishak Lo'?
Ha'amek Davar: "Va'Yechabekehu... va'Yishakehu" is one-sided. Esav hugged and kissed Yaakov, but not vice-versa, for it is not proper to do so to one's master. 1
Ha'amek Davar: They both cried; this is a Siman l'Banim, that when Esav has a spirit of Taharah, also Yaakov is aroused to recognize that Esav is our brother, like in the days of Rebbi and Antoninus, and many others.
