“Joseph administered an oath to the children of Israel, saying: God will remember you, and you shall carry up my bones from here” (Genesis 50:25). “Joseph administered an oath to the children of Israel…” – I would think [he demanded they bring his bones to Canaan] immediately. The verse states: “[You shall bring my bones up from here] with you” (Exodus 13:19) – when you will ascend. From where is it derived that they took up the bones of all the tribes with them?
As it is stated: “With you.” “Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years. They embalmed him, and he was placed in a coffin in Egypt” (Genesis 50:26). “Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years.
They embalmed him” – who embalmed him? Rabbi Pinḥas and Rabbi Yehuda in the name of Rabbi Neḥemya, Rabbi Yehuda said: The physicians embalmed him. Rabbi Pinḥas said: The tribes embalmed him. That is what is written: “They embalmed him, and he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.” Who are they? “These are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt” (Exodus 1:1).