בראשית, פרק מ״ג, פסוק ד׳

Facing severe famine, the family reaches a critical breaking point where survival demands a harsh ultimatum. Judah presents his father, Jacob, with a clear, uncompromising condition regarding their return to Egypt. The only key to securing food is Jacob's agreement to send Benjamin.

If Jacob consents, the brothers express a complete and eager readiness to act. They promise to undertake the journey as many times as necessary to ensure the family's survival, whereas without Benjamin, they refuse to go even once [הטור הארוך]. Their commitment carries a deep sense of urgency, assuring their father that they will depart immediately and travel day and night to accomplish their mission. Beneath this promise of swift action lies a hidden layer of fierce resolve. Their journey is not merely a trading mission for grain; it carries an underlying readiness to fight and even destroy Egypt if the situation demands it [בעל הטורים].

To persuade his father, Judah subtly shifts his approach. Instead of speaking generally about buying food for the whole group as they had in the past, he frames the mission as buying food specifically for Jacob. This deliberate choice places the heavy burden of responsibility directly on the father's shoulders. Judah appeals to Jacob's paternal emotions, reminding him that it is his fundamental duty to show mercy to the young children and infants. By framing the choice this way, Judah urges Jacob to make the agonizing but necessary decision that will ultimately save their family [ברכת אשר על התורה].