יהושע, פרק כ״ד, פסוק ל״ב

The conclusion of the historical narrative brings a profound spiritual journey to its close, resolving a story that began generations earlier. After years of wandering and hardship in the desert, the Israelites finally fulfill the oath Joseph imposed upon his brothers before his death, bringing him to his final resting place in the land of Canaan [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Although it was Moses who personally took Joseph's remains out of Egypt, the fulfillment of this duty is credited to the Israelites. Because Moses passed away in the desert and did not merit to bring the remains into the land, the completion of the task fell to the people. A Commandment is ultimately attributed to those who bring it to its conclusion [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

The decision to bury Joseph specifically in the city of Shechem carries multiple layers of meaning. On a practical level, Shechem was located within the territory allotted to the tribe of Ephraim, Joseph's son. It was a mark of honor for Joseph to be buried in the very first plot of land his father Jacob had purchased in Israel, bought with a specific currency or flock of sheep [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, Jacob himself had hinted at this eventual burial site when he blessed Joseph, stating that he was giving him the portion of Shechem as an extra share above his brothers [רד״ק, אברבנאל].

On a deeper level, burying Joseph in Shechem represents a historical correction and a closure to the sin of his sale. Since Joseph was originally taken from Shechem, it was only fitting that he be returned there [רש״י, רד״ק, אברבנאל]. This restoration is viewed as a complete and legally binding return of stolen property. Even though the stolen subject had changed from a living person to remains, the legal return was valid because Joseph had referred to his own body as bones while still alive, instructing his brothers to carry them out of Egypt. Thus, no fundamental change in definition occurred that would invalidate the return of the stolen item [חנוכת התורה].

This act also demonstrated profound remorse on the part of the other tribes. Because the field in Shechem was purchased with Jacob's money, it rightfully should have been divided equally among all the tribes as a shared inheritance. By willingly surrendering their portions of this field exclusively to Joseph's descendants, the tribes offered compensation and expressed deep regret for the money their ancestors had once profited from his sale [אלשיך].

Finally, while the plot of land naturally became the property of Joseph's descendants [ביאור שטיינזלץ], the primary approach among commentators is that the true inheritance was something much greater. Joseph's descendants viewed his very remains as their most precious and valuable legacy. They saw an immense privilege in having the righteous leader buried within their territory, holding a deep belief that Joseph's enduring righteousness would stand by them and protect them forever [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].