Burials of Yaakov and Yosef: Pharonic or Abrahamic Rites

In this shiur, we examine the burial processes of Yosef and Yaakov. Why were they embalmed? Was Yosef wrong to have his father embalmed? Was this Egyptian inspiration or was it for the service of God?

Being in Egypt, embalming was required, but there were certain significant differences in how the embalming was carried out. The goal of embalming and burial is different, and the burial stories of Yaakov and Yosef work as bookends to send a message about the connection to the Promised Land and about the service of God.