The Thirty-Six Slain at Ai and the Tearing of Garments

"And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men of them" (Joshua 7:5). This is Jair son of Manasseh, who was weighed as equal to the majority of the Sanhedrin. "And Joshua tore his garments" (Joshua 7:6). Rabbi Pinchas in the name of Rabbi Oshaya: the tribes caused their father to tear, as it is written, "And Jacob tore his garments" (Genesis 37:34); and where were they repaid? In Egypt, as it is said, "And they tore their garments" (Genesis 44:13). Joseph caused the tribes to tear; therefore "and Joshua tore his garments." Manasseh caused the tribes to tear; therefore his inheritance was torn, half in the land across the Jordan and half in the land of Canaan. Benjamin caused the tribes to tear; therefore he was repaid in Shushan the capital, as it is said, "And Mordecai tore his garments" (Esther 4:1).