I have two questions about last week's parsha:

1. Abraham, Isaac, Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah were all buried in a cave in the field of Machpelah in Eretz Yisrael. Why is it that Joseph, whose character is held in similarly high regard, buried in Mitzrayim?

2. When Jacob gives his blessings to the twelve sons, he takes the birthright of Reuben and gives it to Judah. First of all, why was the birthright taken away from Reuben? He might not be a blameless character, but he was the one son who argued against physically striking Joseph in Parasha Vayeishev. Secondly, why is is that Judah is given the birthright instead? Certainly Judah is no more blameless than Reuben. In Vayeishev, it is Judah who wants to consort with a harlot (who happens to be his daughter-in-law). It seems to me that Joseph, the most righteous of all the sons, should have been Jacob's choice to receive the birthright. Any thoughts?

Thank you for helping me with my questions.

1) because Yosef, after his death, they didn't have the athority to remove his remains from Egypt. Since he was the vicroy in Egypt, the Egyptions wanted his remains to stay. therefore, he only requested that his remains should be removed and be brought out when the Jews left egypt, which was the 1st time possible for them to do it.

2)First I would like to point out that the birthright had 3 aspects to it, which were redistributed amoung 3 tribes. The kingdom was given to Yehudah. The priesthood to Levi. the double portion (to be split into 2 tribes) went to Yosef.

The removing of the birthright from Reuven was not only a punishment, but yaakov seen in his character trait that made him switch the beds, that this trait would not be appropriate to lead the jews. he needed to be a follower. Even though the others had their sins, but it was not a problem in character traits. On the contrary, yehudah showed great leadership qualities by taking in charge, putting his life on the line for the showdown with yosef. This trait makes him fit for the leadership role. Levi had his traits, though not anumerated in the text in the Chumish, that made him a worthy canidate to do the spiritual work for the Jews.

If I may add to what Rav Chaim said, Jacob says about Reuvein that he is quick like the water in a stream. That is not a leadership quality for Jacob: a leader should not be jumping to conclusions. Levi was fit for spiritual leadership, but not for leadership in action: he and Shim'on are too brutal: "Cursed be their wrath for it is strong." It is not accidental that Pinchas is also a Levite, as is Korach. But other Levites - Moshe, the most humble of men, as Torah describes him, is fit to be a spiritual leader, as well as a leader in action. And Aharon - a man of peace - and Miriam - the nurturess, whose source of water never ended until she reprimanded Moshe - are fit to help him.

I have a question on that Parshah, too: what's "ad bo Shiloh" in Jacob's blessing of Judah related to?

Until the Mashiach comes (see Rashi)