Kabbalah Library

859) It is written, “placed” with two letters Yod. Joseph kept the covenant for him above and below, meaning he was a Merkava [chariot/assembly] for Yesod ZA. Hence, when he parted from the world, he was placed inside two coffins, a coffin below and a coffin above. It is written about the coffin above, “Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth.” This is so because the ark above, the Shechina, is called “a covenant,” for only one who keeps the covenant will inherit it. And because Joseph kept the covenant, he was placed inside two coffins.

860) “And placed inside a coffin in Egypt.” This text implies that even though his soul departed in another authority—the Sitra Achra—she was tied to the Shechina, as it is written, “And placed inside a coffin,” a coffin above and a coffin below. This is so because he was righteous, and any righteous inherits the holy land, the upper one, the Shechina, as it is written, “And Your people are all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever.”