(Cont.)
But the famine was sore in the land. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up their last kernel of corn, that their father said unto the brothers: “Go back to Egypt, and buy groceries.”
Yet Judas reminded their father, saying: “But remember that the lord of the land sternly warned us, saying: ‘Do not return unless your youngest brother comes with you.’ If you will therefore send Ben along as well, we will go. Otherwise, we cannot buy food: for the man said that we shall be executed.”
And Jacob paced in frustration and said: “Why did you have to go and tell the man that you had another little brother? Could you not have simply kept your mouth shut?”
And they said: “The lord asked us directly if our father was still alive, and if we had a younger sibling. So we answered the man. How were we supposed to know that he would then say: ‘Bring me Benjamin Franklin on a platter.’”
Judas then added: “Send the lad with me; I’ll serve as collateral. If I fail to return him to you, then let me bear the blame for ever. But please, let’s leave! If we had just gone back to Egypt when we first informed you, as we desired, instead of lingering here in Cambridge so long, then by now we would have already returned the second time.”
And their father Jacob, now crestfallen, said unto them: “If it must be so, do this: fill your vessels with the best fruits in the land, and carry down for the lord a present: some labdanum, a little honey, spices, and myrrh, pistachios and almonds, a pack of gum . . . and take double money in your hand, plus the sacks of caesars that you found stuffed in your suitcases. Give it back to the man, saying: ‘Peradventure all this refunded cash was an oversight.’ And, yes, take also your brother, and go at once to the lord of the land – may the volcano of potential predispose the man to be merciful – and let him release your other brother with Ben as well. I see no other course we can take: if I must be bereaved, then I must be bereaved.”
So the brothers took gifts, with double money in their luggage, and Benjamin Franklin; and they rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
Now when Vice Pharaoh Joseph saw his little brother among the men, he said to the ruler of his house: “Bring these men to the banquet hall, and seat them there; offer them wine and aperitifs, and slay sheep and rams and bulls before their eyes, to make ready a feast; for they shall dine with me at noon.”
And the man did as his master bade; thus the brothers were brought into Joseph’s palace.
Now his brethren were afraid, having been escorted into this opulence; and they said: “It must be that we were brought here only as a pretext, and they will soon ambush us, and enslave us, and seize our donkeys.”
So they sidled up close to the steward of Joseph’s palace, and they communed with him at the doors of the hall, and said: “Dear Sir, we came here to Egypt that first time just to buy food; but it happened that, when we returned home and opened our suitcases, behold, every man’s money had been reimbursed him, in full weight: and we do not know who did this. So we brought these amounts back with us, in case there was a mistake; plus we have with us other money, to buy provender.”
And the steward said: “Peace be unto you, fear not: Aton, the god of gods, has given you this treasure. For I received your payment in full.” Then he brought them their brother Mishma Massa Mibsam, who was now released from the ward.
And the man led them into Joseph’s palace, and he invited them to bathe, and provided feed for their donkeys.
So the brothers now laid out their gifts that they had brought for the Vice Pharaoh, since he was to meet them at noon to dine.
Then, when Vice Pharaoh Joseph arrived, they brought him the presents, and they bowed themselves to the earth before him. And Joseph asked after their health, and he said: “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still living?”
And they answered: “We are in good health, and so is our father: he is yet alive.” And they bowed their heads and made obeisance.
Then Joseph lifted up his eyes, and saw little Benjamin, his mother’s son; and he said: “So this is your youngest brother, of whom you spoke unto me?” And he said: “Aton be gracious unto you, my lad.” And Joseph hastened away, for his emotions overpowered him, and he was on the verge of tears: so he slipped out of the room, into his chamber, and there he did weep.
Then Joseph washed his face, and went back, and controlled himself this time, and instructed the staff to serve the meal.
Now the Egyptians considered it abhorrent to share meals with the Hebrews, therefore Joseph ate at a different table than his brothers. And the men were seated in order according to their birthright, youngest to eldest: and the brothers marveled that the lord of the land knew all their ages. And dishes were served during each course of the meal, and little Benjamin’s servings were twelve times bigger than anyone else’s. And they all drank, and made merry.
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