The scene: The Cave of Machpelah in Hebron, the ancient burial ground purchased by Abraham himself. Jacob, also known as Israel, has passed away in Egypt, and his sons are bringing his body back to the Promised Land for burial. This, as you might imagine, was no simple procession.

But here's where it gets interesting. As they arrive at the cave, who should appear but Esau, Jacob's estranged twin brother! According to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating and often imaginative midrashic text, Esau wasn't there to offer condolences. Oh no, he was there to cause trouble.

Esau, coming all the way from Mount Horeb, claims the Cave of Machpelah as his own! Can you imagine the nerve? He's trying to prevent the burial of his own brother! What's a family to do?

Joseph, ever the resourceful one, doesn't resort to immediate violence. Instead, he sends Naphtali, one of his brothers, on a mission. Naphtali, blessed with swiftness – "a hind let loose," as Genesis 49:21 describes him – is dispatched to Egypt to retrieve the legal deed, the proof that Abraham had rightfully purchased the cave. The idea was to use the legal document to subdue the constellations, to gain a cosmic upper hand.

But time is of the essence and Esau is not backing down. Now enter Chushim, the son of Dan. Chushim is described as being hard of hearing and having a speech impediment. He sees the impasse, the tension, but perhaps doesn't fully grasp the diplomatic efforts being made. He notices everyone standing around, seemingly paralyzed by Esau's audacity. According to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, he asks, in effect, "Why are we just standing here?"

Seeing Esau blocking the entrance, Chushim doesn't wait for explanations or legal documents. He sees only one thing: someone preventing his grandfather from being buried. So what does he do?

He draws his sword and, in a single swift motion, removes Esau's head! Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer tells us he then takes the head into the Cave of Machpelah. The text says that Esau’s body was sent to Mount Seir, the land of his possession. Talk about a dramatic resolution!

Now, this is a rather… graphic scene, isn't it? It certainly isn't your typical burial service. What are we to make of it? Why include such a violent episode in the story of our patriarchs?

Perhaps it's a reminder that sometimes, decisive action – even drastic action – is necessary to uphold what is right. Or maybe it is a warning about the destructive power of unresolved family conflict. It certainly speaks to the deep-seated rivalry between Jacob and Esau, a rivalry that seems to extend even beyond the grave.

Whatever the interpretation, the story of Jacob's burial, as told in Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, is a powerful reminder that even in moments of mourning, the complexities of family, law, and justice can collide in unexpected and often unsettling ways. It leaves us pondering the lengths to which we will go to honor our ancestors and defend what we believe is rightfully ours. It's a story that stays with you, long after you've closed the book.