From Egypt to Canaan

One of the clear sub-themes of our parasha is the contrast and tension between the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan.  This is clear from the theme which connects the beginning and the end of the parasha - Yaakov's request that he be buried not in Egypt but in Canaan.  Yaakov not only addresses this request to Yosef, but asks him to swear as well; later, on his deathbed, he charges his other children with the task of bringing his body to Canaan.  The Torah then records at length the trip to Canaan and the burial in the Cave of Makhpela. Why was this so important to Yaakov? An examination of the texts reveals the reason behind Yaakov’s insistence on the place of his burial, which also relates to the status of Ephraim and Menashe as full tribes, and teaches us about the importance of Jewish identity in exile.