“The servant took out vessels of silver, vessels of gold, and garments, and he gave them to Rebecca, and he gave her brother and her mother precious objects” (Genesis 24:53). “The servant took out vessels of silver […and precious objects]” – Rabbi Huna said: Fruit delicacies. The Rabbis said: Toasted grain and nuts. Is toasted grain then the most beloved of all these things?41Since it is listed last, after gold and silver vessels, the implication is that it is the most precious of all the items on the list.
The explanation is that it comes to teach you that if a person sets out on a trip without provisions with him, he will suffer.42On the road, precious objects are no substitute for food. Similarly, “Each woman will borrow [silver vessels and gold vessels and] garments from her neighbor” (Exodus 3:22) – are garments most beloved of all these things? The explanation is that it comes to teach you that if a person sets out on a trip without taking his garments with him, he will suffer.
Similarly: “All those surrounding them supported them [with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with livestock, and with precious objects]” (Ezra 1:6).