Let’s talk about Jacob's burial – it wasn't exactly a peaceful affair.

Imagine the scene: Jacob, also known as Israel, patriarch of the Israelite nation, has passed away. His sons, the heads of the tribes, are preparing to lay him to rest in the Machpelah (מַכְפֵּלָה), the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. This isn't just any burial; this is a family plot, a place of immense historical and spiritual significance.

But here comes Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, ready to stir up trouble. According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, Esau tries to block the burial. His argument? Jacob had already used up his share of the tomb when he buried Leah there. The only remaining spot, Esau claimed, rightfully belonged to him.

"Sure," Esau says, dripping with resentment, "I sold my birthright to Jacob, but I still have a right to a place in the family tomb as a son of Isaac!"

Now, the sons of Jacob knew better. They knew their father had, in fact, purchased Esau's share in the cave. They even had a bill of sale! But, as luck would have it, the document was back in Egypt. Esau, banking on this inconvenient truth, boldly denied that any such sale ever occurred. So, they sent Naphtali, known for his speed, racing back to Egypt to retrieve the crucial document.

Can you imagine the tension? A funeral held hostage by a property dispute!

But then comes Hushim, the son of Dan, into the picture. He was deaf and hadn't understood the argument unfolding. He sees the delay, the somber faces, and asks, bewildered, why they weren’t proceeding with the burial. As Ginzberg tells it, upon learning that they were waiting for Naphtali to return from Egypt with the bill of sale, Hushim is absolutely incensed.

“My grandfather will lie unburied until Naphtali gets back?” he roared, or perhaps signed, overcome with righteous indignation. He grabs a club – and this is where the story takes a dramatic turn – and strikes Esau a mighty blow.

The result? Esau is killed instantly. According to the legend, his eyes even pop out of their sockets and land on Jacob's knees! And in a truly bizarre twist, Jacob, who was presumed dead, opens his eyes and smiles.

With Esau out of the way, the burial proceeds without further interruption. Joseph, Jacob’s beloved son, ensures that Esau is also interred in the Cave of Machpelah, fulfilling his wish to be buried alongside his family.

What are we to make of this strange and violent tale? It's a stark reminder that even in matters of death and legacy, family tensions, old grievances, and the pursuit of what we believe is rightfully ours can erupt in unexpected and dramatic ways. It also highlights the importance of honoring our ancestors and ensuring they receive a proper burial, even if it means taking drastic action. And perhaps, just perhaps, it suggests that even in death, the patriarchs can still have the last laugh.