The sons of Esau, of Ishmael, and of Keturah went on purpose to dispute the burial (of Jacob); but when they saw that Joseph had placed his crown upon the coffin, they did the same with theirs. There were thirty-six crowns in all, tradition says. " And they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation.0 Even the very horses and asses joined in it, we are told. On arriving at the Cave of Machpelah, Esau once more protested, and said, "Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, are all buried here. Jacob disposed of his share when he buried Leah in it, and the remaining one belongs to me." "But thou didst sell thy share with thy birthright, w remonstrated the sons of Jacob. "Nay," rejoined Esau, "that did not include my
The Thirty-Six Crowns at the Burial of Jacob in Machpelah
Hebraic Literature (1901), Midrash on Genesis 50 (cf. Sotah 13a)