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Fulfilling Joseph's Oath
TANAKH
Moses ensured the fulfillment of Joseph's oath, highlighting the importance of keeping promises even after many years. The book of Exodus recounts how Moses took Joseph's bones with him when the Israelites left Egypt, fulfilling Joseph's request to be buried in the land of his forefathers.
Moses and the Miraculous Retrieval of Joseph's Coffin
KABBALAH
The miraculous retrieval of Joseph's coffin by Moses is filled with mystical elements and traditions that highlight themes of faithfulness and redemption. The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, recounts how Moses used the holy name and other miraculous means to fulfill Joseph's request to be buried in Israel.
The Miracles of Joseph's Merit
COMMENTARY
The miraculous splitting of the Red Sea and the Jordan River is attributed to the righteousness of Joseph, who resisted sexual temptation. This commentary on the Pesach Haggadah, the guiding text of the Passover seder, connects these miracles to Joseph's merit and explores the play on words involving 'flee' and 'miracle.'
Joseph's Bones and the Final Redemption
JEWISH THOUGHT
The connection between Joseph's bones and the final redemption involving Mashiach ben Yosef and Mashiach ben David offers a profound insight into the ultimate redemption process. Kol HaTor, an esoteric work that describes the process of the redemption according the Vilna Gaon, explores the esoteric role of Mashiach ben Yosef in the redemption process.
The Two Arks in the Wilderness
TALMUD
The juxtaposition of Joseph's casket with the Ark of the Divine Presence raises profound questions about the relationship between life, death, and the divine. The Talmudic tractate Sotah recounts the journey of the Israelites in the wilderness, highlighting the curious sight of two arks traveling together: one containing Joseph's casket and the other the Ark of the Covenant.
Joseph's Merit and the Sea
REFERENCE
The merit of Joseph the righteous is suggested as the reason for the sea's retreat. Hayyim Joseph David Azulai (Chida) draws a fascinating linguistic connection between 'Yam Suf' (Red Sea) and 'MiYosef' (from Joseph).
Moses and the Mitzvah
MUSAR
Moses prioritized fulfilling a mitzvah over collecting material wealth, setting an example for all of Israel. In the Shenei Luchot HaBerit, Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz recounts how Moses chose to retrieve Joseph's bones while the rest of Israel gathered silver and gold.
Divine Rewards Unveiled
MISHNAH
The concept of measure-for-measure reward illustrates how individuals are rewarded in kind for their good deeds, as seen in the examples of Miriam, Joseph, and Moses. The Mishnah, the first codification of Jewish law from the early third-century land of Israel, discusses the principle of 'measure for measure' (middah k'neged middah), which is foundational in Jewish ethical teachings.
Purity and Entry to the Temple Mount
HALAKHAH
Moses carried Joseph’s bones into the camp of the Levites, suggesting that certain impurities did not bar entry to sacred areas. In his famed 12th-century code of Jewish law, Mishneh Torah, Maimonides discusses the laws of ritual purity and entry to the Temple Mount, using the biblical precedent of Moses and Joseph’s bones.
Joseph's Prophecy and the Exodus
TARGUM
Joseph's prophecy and condition for the Israelites to wait for two Deliverers before leaving Egypt underscores the importance of faith and continuity in Jewish heritage. The Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Torah, elaborates on Joseph's command regarding the future Exodus and the carrying of his bones to the Promised Land.
Divine Reward for Meritorious Acts
COMMENTARY
The merit and reward associated with Joseph's burial by Moses illustrate the theme of divine reward for meritorious acts. The Tze'enah Ure'enah, a late 16th-century Yiddish commentary, provides accessible explanations and moral lessons based on the weekly Torah readings and haftarot.
Fulfilling Joseph's Last Wish
COMMENTARY
Joseph's dying wish to be buried in Canaan was a promise that spanned generations, highlighting the importance of fulfilling ancestral promises in Jewish tradition. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible provides a clear and engaging exploration of the historical process from Joseph's death to his eventual burial in Shekhem.
Joseph's Final Wish
SECOND TEMPLE
Joseph's virtuous life and his request to have his bones carried to Canaan highlight the deep connection between the Hebrews and their ancestral land. In his first-century historical work, Josephus recounts the promise made by the Hebrews to fulfill Joseph's request upon their departure from Egypt.
Divine Reward for Human Actions
MIDRASH
Acts of kindness and duty, such as Miriam waiting for Moses and Joseph burying his father, are met with divine favor and honor. The Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, an ancient midrash from the land of Israel on the book of Exodus, illustrates the principle of measure-for-measure (middah k'neged middah) in Jewish tradition.
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