2020/7780
Parashat Beshalach features the long awaited exodus from Egypt when the Jews proudly cross over the border and begin their journey toward Har Sinai and Eretz Yisrael. As they march into the desert, the Torah adds “VaYikach Moshe Et Azmot Yoseif Emo Ki Hashbeia Hishbea Et Bnei Yisrael Leimor: Pakod YiFkod Elokim Etchem VeHaalitem Et Azmoti MiZeh,” "And Moshe took the bones of Yoseif with him, who had exacted an oath from the Bnei Yisrael, saying: God will be sure to take notice of you: Then you shall carry up my bones from here with you" (Shemot, 13:19). While the record clearly states that Moshe Rabbeinu fulfilled the brothers’ oath to Yoseif, the pasuk did not present an exact quote. At the conclusion of Sefer Bereishit, Yoseif's last will and testament was, "VeHa'alitem Et Atzmotai Mizeh,” “And you will bring up my bones from here" (Bereishit, 50:25). He did not use the word "Itchem”, “with you”[1]. Yet, this part of the phrase appears in our Parasha as if it had been part of Yoseif's original request all along. Why does the text include a word that Yoseif did not say?
One way to approach this question is by examining the way Yoseif made his brothers swear. The Torah uses the double-language of "Hashbeia Hishbia"[2] to say that Yoseif “firmly adjured” his brothers, and Rashi, Shemot 13:19 s.v. Hashbea Hishia, interprets this repetition as a linguistic illustration of how their words echoed through time. Yoseif implored his brothers to carry his bones at the time of their departure, but that time would not come for hundreds of years. This oath would not be fulfilled by his brothers, his children, or even his great-grandchildren. Perhaps our parasha did not record Yoseif’s words as they were spoken in his lifetime, but rather as they were shared by the Jewish people throughout their years of slavery. One can imagine Jewish children in Egypt asking if there would ever be an end to the terrible suffering, and their parents comforting them with a promise made long ago. "One day you will leave this place, and you will carry the bones of Yoseif with you." Those few words could very well have imbued our people with hope and purpose. In that sense, “Itchem” truly does belong to the exodus narrative.
Interestingly, Bnei Yisrael felt the impact of the Atzmot Yoseif even beyond the Egyptian border. The promise to carry Yoseif’s bones with us could mean, on a deeper level, that we must internalize their message. The Gemara, Sotah 13a-b, relates that the Jews carried two Aronot after leaving Har Sinai, one containing the Luchot and another for Yoseif's bones. When other nations inquired about this spectacle, we proudly declared that Yoseif from the first Aron observed all of the mitzvot contained in the second Aron. An observation by the Kli Yakar, Shemot 13:19 s.v. VaYikach Moshe Et Azmot Yoseif Emo, points to the significance of making the connection between these two Aronot. He writes that the Torah juxtaposed the word "Chamushim,” “the Jews were armed,"[3] with Moshe’s action of carrying Yoseif's bones because both express the same idea; we armed ourselves by carrying the Atzmot Yoseif. We draw strength from this connection between our heritage and our destiny. To arm ourselves for the journey ahead, we remember how far we have come and who we have to be. May we continue to carry the Atzmot Yoseif, so they, in turn, will continue to carry us.
[1] Shemot 13:19
[2] Shemot 13:19
[3] Shemot 13:18