But according to tradition, getting the coffin out of Egypt in the first place was a whole adventure in itself.

See, according to Legends of the Jews, retold by Louis Ginzberg, Egyptian magicians had set up a magical security system around Joseph's coffin. Picture this: two golden dogs, stationed as guards, barking like crazy if anyone got too close. And not just any barking – we're talking about a noise that could be heard across the entire land, a distance of forty days' journey! Can you imagine the racket?

So, here comes Moses, right? He approaches the coffin, and naturally, the golden dogs start their magical barking. But Moses, ever the smooth talker, immediately silences them. He calls out, "Come, everyone, and witness this miracle! Real dogs don't bark, but these fake, magic-made dogs try to!"

What's he getting at with this “real dogs don't bark” business? Well, there's a fascinating backstory here. Remember the plague of the firstborn? The Torah tells us that the dogs of Egypt didn't bark at the Israelites while they were burying their dead. Not a peep! As a reward for their silence, God promised the Israelites a mitzvah, a commandment. They would be allowed to give neveilah – meat from an animal that died naturally, which is forbidden for human consumption – to the dogs. God, after all, doesn't withhold what's due to any creature.

But it gets even better. The dogs actually receive a double reward! Their, shall we say, "leavings" are used in tanning the hides from which we make Torah scrolls, mezuzot (the parchment scrolls placed on doorposts), and tefillin (phylacteries, worn during prayer). Who would have thought? From barking guards to essential contributors to Jewish ritual objects!

It’s kind of amazing, isn’t it? This little story reminds us that even seemingly insignificant creatures can play a role in God's plan. And it highlights the importance of gratitude and rewarding even the smallest acts of kindness. So, the next time you see a dog, remember the silent dogs of Egypt and their surprising contribution to Jewish tradition. It might just give you a new appreciation for the interconnectedness of everything.