In the Midrashic tradition, there is another story related to the retrieval of Joseph's body, which involves the staff of Moses and an inscription upon it. According to this account, when Moses was commanded to retrieve Joseph's remains, he encountered a difficulty in identifying the exact coffin among many buried in the Nile.
In this version of the story, the staff of Moses plays a significant role. It is said that the staff, which was the same staff used to perform miracles before Pharaoh, had a unique quality. The staff had been passed down from generation to generation since the time of Adam and Eve, and it was inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.
As Moses faced the challenge of locating Joseph's coffin, he approached the Nile with the staff in hand. By divine guidance, Moses struck the waters of the river with the staff, causing a miraculous occurrence. The staff began to emit a glow, and as Moses extended it over the waters, a beam of light emanated from the staff, illuminating the entire river.
This supernatural illumination allowed Moses to discern the exact location of Joseph's coffin among the many buried in the Nile. He was then able to retrieve the remains of Joseph and fulfill the promise made to him by the Israelites.
The story of the inscribed staff in the Midrashic account adds a mystical element to the retrieval of Joseph's body. It underscores the miraculous nature of the event and highlights the sacredness of Joseph's remains, as well as the special qualities of Moses' staff.
It's worth noting that the Midrashic narratives serve as imaginative elaborations and interpretations of biblical events. They are not considered historical accounts but are treasured for their moral, theological, and spiritual teachings within Jewish tradition.
