“Joseph fell upon his father’s face, wept upon him, and kissed him” (Genesis 50:1). “Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father. The physicians embalmed Israel” (Genesis 50:2). “Joseph fell…Joseph commanded his servants” – why did Joseph die before his brothers?
Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] and the Rabbis, Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] said: Because he embalmed his father. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Was I not able to preserve My righteous one? Did I not say to him: “Do not fear [ti’re’i], worm of Jacob” (Isaiah 41:14) – worm, do not see [tiri] Jacob?’16God had decided to ensure that Jacob’s body would not decay, so it was unnecessary for Joseph to embalm him.
The Rabbis say: It was he [Jacob] who commanded them to embalm him. That is what is written: “His sons did to him [just as he commanded them]” (Genesis 50:12). According to the opinion of Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi], it works out well.17It is understood why Joseph died before his brothers. According to the opinion of the Rabbis, [it is because] almost five times, Judah said: “Your servant, my father, your servant, my father” and Joseph heard and remained silent.18On four occasions, Judah referred to Jacob as Joseph’s servant, and Joseph remained silent: Genesis 44:24, 27, 30, 31.
Additionally, on one occasion (Genesis 43:28) it is stated that the brothers referred to Jacob in this way in speaking to Joseph, although it is not explicitly stated that it was Judah who said it.