The Best Fruits of the Land Sent Down as a Gift to Egypt

"Take of the choice fruits of the land" (Genesis 43:11). [The word for "choice fruits" (zimrat) suggests] things that are praised and sung of in the world: shellfish-dye, balsam-resin, ladanum, [these for] "a little balm." Balsam-resin and a little honey: honey hard as stone. ["Spices, gum," these are] storax-gum. "Pistachios and almonds": pistachio oil, almond oil, and hazelnut oil. "And take double the silver in your hand" (Genesis 43:12), in case the market price has risen. "And the silver that was returned," he said to them: here is the gift, here is the silver, and here is your brother. Do you need anything more? They said to him: we need your prayer. He said to them: if it is my prayer you need, then "may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man" (Genesis 43:14). Said Rabbi Yose bar Chanina: what is the meaning of "slaughter an animal and prepare it" (Genesis 43:16)? "Slaughter an animal": expose to them the place of the cut [to show it was slaughtered properly]; "and prepare it": remove the sciatic nerve in their presence, in accordance with the one who holds that the sciatic nerve was forbidden to the sons of Noah.