Why Jacob Refused Burial in Egypt and the Donkey Redeemed by a Lamb

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayechi 5:5

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation: Jacob said, "So that the Egyptians not be redeemed through me, for they are likened to the donkey, as it is said, 'whose flesh is the flesh of donkeys' (Ezekiel 23:20). And I am likened to a sheep, as it is said, 'Israel is a scattered sheep' (Jeremiah 50:17). And it is written, 'and the firstling of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb' (Exodus 34:20). So that they not be redeemed through me." Thus, "Do not bury me in Egypt."

Themes

RedemptionJacobEgypt

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Legends of the JewsJacob Told His Sons That a Savior Would Arise from Judah and LeviThe patriarch Jacob certainly did. Him, nearing the end of his days, gathering his sons around him. It’s a powerful scene, fraught with love, anxiety, and a deeZoharJacob Sees Every Exile Before Messiah ComesJacob lived in Egypt, but his heart was already looking past Egypt. Zohar, Vayechi 1:1 reads "Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years" (Genesis 47:28) Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelRabbi Shimon Ben Yochai Offered His Own Parable to Explain the SameRabbi Shimon ben Yochai offered his own parable to explain the same prophecy from Jeremiah, that a future redemption would overshadow the memory of the Exodus. Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelThe Wicked Son Excludes Himself and Gets Excluded in Return(Exodus 13:8) includes the phrase "because of this", ba'avur zeh. The Mekhilta asks: what is the purpose of this phrase? The answer involves one of the most famMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelThe Torah Mentions Redeeming the First-born of the Unclean Beast inThe Torah mentions redeeming "the first-born of the unclean beast" in (Numbers 18:15), which could suggest that every unclean animal's firstborn must be redeemeMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelWhere the Rule Is as Indicated Above"among your sons shall you redeem": What is the intent of this? It is written (Numbers 18:16) "And redemption from one month", general. "according to the moneta