Following the public mourning period for Jacob, Joseph faces a delicate political and diplomatic challenge: fulfilling his father's final wish to be buried in Canaan. The conclusion of the initial weeping period establishes a timeless principle that mourning, even for the greatest leaders of Israel like Moses, should not exceed thirty days [רבנו בחיי].
Despite his high rank as viceroy, Joseph does not approach Pharaoh directly, but instead relies on the royal courtiers as intermediaries. The primary approach among commentators explains this as a matter of protocol and religious law. As a mourner who had not yet buried his father, Joseph was likely dressed in sackcloth or remained unshaven, making it strictly inappropriate and forbidden to enter the royal palace in such a state [ספורנו, שד״ל, הטור הארוך, פענח רזא, העמק דבר, ברכת אשר]. However, other commentators identify clear political motivations for this indirect approach. Joseph anticipated a potentially negative reaction from Pharaoh, and using a third party would allow him to absorb a refusal gently without sparking a direct diplomatic crisis [ביאור שטיינזלץ, רש״ר הירש].
The request to leave Egypt was highly sensitive. Joseph worried that the Egyptian masses or government officials might actively prevent his departure, as Jacob's arrival had brought a blessing to the land and ended the devastating famine [שפתי כהן]. Furthermore, Pharaoh might suspect that Joseph, who held immense power, would use the journey as an opportunity to remain in Canaan permanently [חזקוני]. The request to be buried in Canaan also drew unwanted attention to Joseph's foreign origins, a fact that irritated the Egyptians [רש״ר הירש]. Additionally, with the years of famine concluded, Joseph's political influence may have naturally declined, forcing him to rely on mediators to secure the king's attention [ברכת אשר].
In his communication with the courtiers, Joseph balances the firmness of an experienced statesman with profound politeness [רש״ר הירש]. He urges them to act immediately, fearing any delay in fulfilling the oath to his father. He emphasizes that this is the one moment they can truly do him a favor, as he requires their assistance for nothing else [אור החיים]. By asking them to speak directly into Pharaoh's ears, Joseph is not merely using them as passive messengers. He expects the ministers to add their own words of persuasion, joining their influence with his request to secure the king's approval [אור החיים, העמק דבר].
The resulting chain of communication is highly structured, moving from Joseph to the ministers, from the ministers to Pharaoh, and finally culminating in the quotation of Jacob's will [ביאור יש״ר]. This complex strategy may have also served as a sophisticated method of applying hidden pressure on the king. By using the courtiers, Joseph subtly hinted that if Pharaoh forced him to violate the sacred oath made to his father, Joseph would feel equally liberated to break secret oaths he had previously sworn to Pharaoh. Involving the royal household ensured there were witnesses to this dynamic. Should Joseph ever be forced to reveal state secrets, his actions would be understood as a justified response to the pressure placed upon him, rather than an act of ingratitude [אלשיך].