Regarding the Me'aras ha'Machpelah, Yosef quotes his father as having said "b'Kivri Asher Karisi Li." What exactly does this mean?
Rashi #1 and Targum Yonasan: It means "the grave that I dug 1 for myself."
Rashi #2: "The grave that I acquired for myself." 2
Rashi (from Shemos Rabah 31:17): Yaakov took all the silver and gold that he had brought with him from the house of Lavan and made it into a Kri (heap), which he gave to Esav in exchange for his portion in the Me'aras ha'Machpelah. 3
Malbim: This was another reason why Yosef must bury Yaakov there. Yaakov dug his grave in his lifetime, to be a constant reminder of the day of death. He always anticipated being buried there.
Ha'amek Davar: I prepared it and I dug it. He did not say an expression of digging, which implies much [digging] like is needed for a grave. Normally a person does not dig a grave in his lifetime! Karisi implies only a mark and crevice in the land (see Ha'amek Davar to Bamidbar 21:18 ("Karuha Nedivei ha'Am")). Yosef did not elaborate why the place was so dear, just the simple reason, that he dug it. We do not bury a son in his father's grave, due to his father's honor (Sanhedrin 48a). This shows that it is his father's honor to be buried there!
Why did Yosef add the word "v'Ashuvah"?
Rashbam: To reassure Pharaoh that he would not remain in Kena'an, but that he intended to return. Malbim - He also said 'v'Atah E'eleh Likvor' - I did not ascend to there all the years that my father lived, only now!
Why did Yosef say, "Avi Hishbi'ani Leimor, [Hinei Anochi Mes]"?
Ohr ha'Chayim, citing Sotah 36b: If you will tell me to permit the Shevu'ah to my father, I can permit also your Shevu'ah (not to reveal that Pharaoh does not know Ivri).
Ohr ha'Chayim #1: This was not the exact text of the Shevu'ah, but it was the intent of the Shevu'ah.
Ohr ha'Chayim #2: If Pharaoh will object that Yosef should not have consented to his father without consulting Pharaoh, Yosef will say that there was no time; the Shevu'ah was close to Yaakov's death - "Hishbi'ani Leimor Hinei Anochi Mes." This was true (Yaakov felt that he was about to die at the time 1 ), like I explained above (47:29). Yosef's palate spoke truth!
Malbim: Yosef gave four reasons why he must do so. (a) Kibud Av v'Em. (b) He made me swear. (c) He commanded at the time of death. It is a Mitzvah to fulfill the words of the Mes. (d) Refer to 50:5:1:4.
Ha'amek Davar: He imposed the Shevu'ah on me. (Had Yosef said 'Nishba'ti l'Avi,' it would imply 'I swore on my own.') This was lest Pharaoh ask how he swore without Pharaoh's permission. Pharaoh thought that a father can force his son to swear, just like a master can force his slave.
Even though the verses imply that only later, Yaakov fell ill and Yosef brought his sons to be blessed. (PF)
Why does it say "Shamah Tikbereni"?
Ha'amek Davar: Yosef himself should engage in the burial.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "... Yaakov had said to Esav, 'Take [all] this, in exchange for your share in the cave (i.e. the Me'aras ha'Machpelah)!'" Why did Yaakov want so much to be buried there? What is the deeper significance of the names 'Kiryas Arba' and 'Machpelah'?
Gur Aryeh #1 (to 23:2): Chevron, city of giants, was meant for giants of the spirit. The name Kiryas Arba shows its connection to the upper worlds. Refer to 23:2:2.3:1 and the notes there.
Maharal #1 (Chidushei Agados Vol. 2, p. 53, to Sotah 13a): This was the appropriate location for the foundations of the world, namely the three Avos; as well as Adam, the father of all of mankind. A place (Makom) is defined as an area of four by four, 1 and as such, four couples are buried there.
Gur Aryeh #2 (to 47:29): According to the Midrash, the dead will be revived from within the Me'arah.
Maharal #2 (Chidushei Agados Vol. 3, p. 84, to Bava Basra 58a): The cave is doubled (i.e. two parallel levels or chambers 2 ); so too each of the forefathers had a dual aspect - both his own achievements, as well as being the cause for the achievements of his descendants.
