The story of Joseph, his coffin, and Moses is one such tale. It's a powerful reminder that even in the chaos of escape and liberation, honoring a pledge matters deeply.
Imagine the scene: The Israelites are finally leaving Egypt, laden with riches they've received from their former oppressors. Gold, silver… a whirlwind of activity as they prepare for their long-awaited exodus. But amidst this frenzy, Moses has something else on his mind. Something incredibly important.
Joseph, centuries before, had made his brothers swear an oath. He knew his bones didn't belong in Egypt. “God will surely remember you,” he told them, “and carry you out of this land to the land which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” (Genesis 50:25). He wanted to be buried in the Promised Land. This was no small request; it was a sacred trust.
So, how do you find a coffin lost in the vastness of the Nile? Well, according to the legends, it wasn't easy. The Zohar, that foundational text of Jewish mysticism, hints at the magical means employed. Moses didn't just stumble upon it. He had to work for it.
The story goes that Moses fashioned several golden plates, each bearing a different symbol. The first had the figure of an eagle. He threw it into the water, calling upon Joseph to rise. Nothing. Then a plate with the figure of a bull. Again, silence. A third plate followed. Still, the coffin remained stubbornly submerged.
It wasn't until the fourth plate, the one bearing the image of a human, that something finally happened. With this plate and the fourth invocation, Joseph’s coffin floated to the surface! Moses, overcome with joy, seized it. Ginzberg, in his Legends of the Jews, tells us that while the rest of Israel were busy gathering their newfound wealth, Moses was solely focused on fulfilling Joseph’s wish.
Why this elaborate ritual? Why these specific symbols? We can only speculate. Perhaps the symbols represented different aspects of the Egyptian world, and only the human symbol resonated with Joseph's spirit, his connection to his people. Or maybe, as we find in Midrash Rabbah, it was a test of Moses's faith and dedication.
The tale underscores a powerful message: Keeping promises, especially to the deceased, is a sacred act. It speaks to the enduring power of memory, loyalty, and the importance of honoring our commitments, no matter the obstacles.
What promises are we holding onto? What commitments are we striving to fulfill, even when they seem difficult or inconvenient? Perhaps the story of Moses and Joseph’s coffin can inspire us to reflect on the enduring power of our word.