Why was Moses privileged that the Holy One blessed be He tended to him?16God tended to his burial. It is, rather, that when he descended to Egypt, and the time for Israel’s redemption had arrived, all of Israel was occupied with silver and gold. Moses was circulating in the city and exerting himself three days and three nights to find Joseph’s coffin, as they were not able to depart from Egypt without Joseph.
Why? It is because he administered an oath to them before his death, as it is stated: “Joseph administered an oath to the children of Israel, saying…[and you shall carry up my bones from here]” (Genesis 50:25). After he was extremely exhausted, Segula17Elsewhere, she is identified as Seraḥ daughter of Asher (Sota 13a). encountered him, and saw that Moses was exhausted from the exertion. She said to him: ‘My lord, Moses, why are you tired?’
He said to her: ‘For three days and three nights I have circulated in the city to find Joseph’s coffin, but I have not found it.’ She said to him: ‘Come with me and I will show you where he is.’ She led him to the stream,18The Nile River. she said to him: ‘In this place they crafted a coffin weighing five hundred talents, and the magicians and the astrologers cast it into the stream. Thus they said to Pharaoh: If it is your wish that this nation will never depart from here, Joseph’s bones, if they never find them, they will be unable to leave.’
Moses immediately stood on the bank of the stream and said: ‘Joseph, you know how you administered an oath to Israel: “God will remember you [and you shall bring up my bones with you]” (Genesis 50:25). Accord deference to the God of Israel and do not delay the redemption of Israel. You have good deeds to your credit; ask for mercy before your Creator and rise from the depths.’ Immediately, Joseph’s coffin began bubbling and rising from the depths like a piece of wood.
He took it, placed it on his shoulder, and he would bear it, with all of Israel following him. Israel were bearing the gold and the silver that they took from Egypt, and Moses was bearing Joseph’s coffin. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Moses, you say that you performed a minor action; as you live, this kindness that you performed is great, and you did not pay attention to the silver and the gold. I, too, will perform this kindness for you, and I will tend to you.’