Before Jacob dies, he apportions a double inheritance to Joseph. And then, he apologizes to him: As for me, when I was coming from Paddan, Rachel died to my grief in the land of Canaan on the way, still some distance from Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way.” Why does Jacob offer Joseph a double portion and then apologize for burying Rachel “on the way”? The big question is where Jacob will be buried: in his ancestral plot in Hebron or with Rachel “on the way.” He chooses the family plot. ShaDaL explains that Jacob is assuring Joseph that although he must be buried with his ancestors, his love for Rachel endures and her Joseph continues to be his favored son. As a demonstration of this love, he doubles Joseph’s inheritance and explains to him the circumstance of his mother’s burial.