Sotah - Daf 13
- Eisav’s attempt to prevent Yaakov’s burial in מערת המכפלה
The Gemara relates that when Yaakov’s burial procession reached מערת המכפלה, Eisav attempted to stop them, saying: “ממרא קרית הארבע היא חברון” – Mamre in the City of Four, which is Chevron. The Gemara explains that מערת המכפלה could only accommodate four couples, three of which were already buried there. Since Yaakov had buried Leah there, Eisav maintained that the final plot was his. A dispute arose if it had been sold to Yaakov, and Naftali, who was fleet of foot, was sent to fetch the document of sale from Mitzrayim. In the interim, Chushim the son of Dan, who was hard of hearing, inquired as to the cause of the delay. When he was told, he reacted: ועד דאתי נפתלי מארעא דמצרים יהא אבי אבא מוטל בבזיון – “And until Naftali comes from Mitzrayim, my grandfather will be lying in disgrace?!” He grabbed a staff and struck Eisav, killing him. The Gemara concludes: באותה שעה נתקיימה נבואתה של רבקה – At that time the prophecy of Rivkah was fulfilled, who said: "למה אשכל גם שניכם יום אחד" – Why should I be bereaved of both of you on the same day? ואף על גב דמיתתן לא ביום אחד הואי – Even though their deaths were not on the same day, קבורתן מיהא ביום אחד הואי – their burials at least were on the same day.
- Moshe seeks and finds Yosef’s bones
A Baraisa states: בא וראה כמה חביבות מצות על משה רבינו – Come and see how precious mitzvos were to Moshe Rabbeinu, שכל ישראל כולן נתעסקו בביזה והוא נתעסק במצות – for all Bnei Yisroel were occupied with gathering booty, but Moshe was occupied with mitzvos (finding Yosef’s coffin). Moshe inquired of Serach (daughter of Asher) as to its location, and she told him that Yosef was buried in a metal coffin set in the Nile, to bring blessing to its waters. Moshe went to the riverbank and said: יוסף יוסף, הגיע העת שנשבע הקדוש ברוך הוא שאני גואל אתכם – Yosef, Yosef! The time has come about which Hashem swore, “I will redeem you,” והגיעה השבועה שהשבעת את ישראל – and the moment to fulfill the oath that you adjured Bnei Yisroel has arrived. אם אתה מראה עצמך מוטב – If you show yourself, it is good (and we will take you), אם לאו הרי אנו מנוקין משבועתך – but if you do not, we are exempted from your oath! Immediately, his coffin rose to the surface. Alternatively, Rebbe Nassan says that Yosef was buried in the royal crypt, and after Moshe made the above declaration, Yosef’s coffin shook, so Moshe was able to identify and take it.
- Moshe at the time of his death
Moshe described himself on the last day of his life as one hundred and twenty years old "היום" – today. The Gemara explains his meaning: היום מלאו ימי ושנותי – ”Today my days and years have been filled.” This teaches: שהקב"ה משלים שנותיהם של צדיקים מיום ליום ומחדש לחדש – that Hashem completes the years of the righteous from day to day and from year to year, as it says: "את מספר ימיך אמלא" – the number of your days I will fill. Moshe continued: "לא אוכל עוד לצאת ולבא" – I am no longer able to go out and come in. The Gemara asks that this cannot mean he lacked the physical strength to “come and go,” for Moshe is described at the time of his death: "לא נס לחה" – his freshness had not diminished. Moreover, a passuk alludes to Moshe climbing twelve steps of Mount Nevo in a single step, indicating he retained his full strength. Therefore, Rebbe Yonasan explains he meant he was unable לצאת ולבוא בדברי תורה – to “go out and come in” in words of Torah, מלמד שנסתתמו ממנו שערי חכמה – teaching that the gates of wisdom were closed to him then.
