They'd already made one harrowing trip to Egypt for food during a devastating famine. But now, the meager supplies they brought back were gone. The little children were crying, begging for bread. What would you do?
According to Legends of the Jews, Ginzberg's masterful compilation of rabbinic lore, Jacob's heart was breaking. He tells his sons to go back to Egypt to buy more food. But there's a catch, a HUGE one.
Judah reminds his father of the Egyptian ruler's demand: "We can't see his face again unless our brother Benjamin is with us." Jacob is furious. "Why did you even TELL him about Benjamin?" he demands.
The Talmud (Taanit 10b) actually sees this as a rare moment where Jacob slips up. God even says, "I made your son ruler of Egypt, and you complain, 'Why did you tell him?'" It's a reminder that even our greatest leaders aren't perfect.
Judah defends their actions, pointing out that the Egyptian ruler seemed to know everything about them already! "He knew the very wood our baby coaches are made of!" (Talk about an intense interrogation, right?) He argues that taking Benjamin is a risk, but starvation is a certainty. It's a pragmatic, agonizing choice.
Judah lays it all on the line, painting a vivid picture of the Egyptian ruler's power. He's wiser and mightier than any king they’ve ever seen, Judah insists, offering his own portion in the world to come as a guarantee for Benjamin's safe return. According to Midrash Rabbah, Judah’s words were so powerful they swayed Jacob.
Finally, Jacob relents. He sends his sons back, laden with gifts – precious items like balm, honey, and almond oil, things that would impress even the most powerful ruler. He even includes double the money, anticipating rising prices. "Is there anything else you need?" he asks. The sons reply, "Yes, we need you to intercede for us with God."
And here we see Jacob, the patriarch, turning to prayer. He asks God to end his suffering, to show mercy to his sons. The text says this prayer wasn't just for his sons in that moment, but for all their descendants. It's a prayer for future redemption, for the rebuilding of the Temple after destruction (Zohar).
Jacob even writes a letter to the Egyptian ruler, whom we know to be Joseph, though Jacob doesn't yet know it. The letter is a fascinating mix of humility and veiled threat. He pleads for mercy, explaining his age and sorrow over the loss of Joseph. He reminds the ruler of God's power, recounting stories of divine retribution against those who harmed his ancestors. (Imagine receiving THAT in the mail!)
"Take heed," Jacob warns, "keep your eyes directed upon him [Benjamin], and God will direct His eye upon all your kingdom." It's a bold statement, a reminder that even the most powerful earthly ruler is subject to a higher power. According to the Sefer HaYashar, Jacob entrusted this letter to Judah, instructing him to deliver it carefully.
As his sons depart, Jacob offers a final prayer, begging God to remember His covenant with Abraham and Isaac. The women and children join in, their tears mingling with their hopes for the safe return of their loved ones.
What a powerful story of family, faith, and the lengths we go to for those we love. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, when faced with impossible choices, prayer and faith can provide strength and guidance. And perhaps, just perhaps, a little bit of hard-as-stone honey doesn't hurt either.