וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה שָׁמַעְתִּי כִּי יֶשׁ שֶׁבֶר בְּמִצְרָיִם רְדוּ שָׁמָּה וְשִׁבְרוּ לָנוּ מִשָּׁם וְנִחְיֶה וְלֹא נָמוּת:
"Now I hear," he (Jacob) went on, "that there are rations to be had in Egypt. Go down and procure rations for us there, that we may live and not die."
[JPS translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What would cause people to migrate for food? What are the ramifications of this journey for Jacob's children?
2. Migration happens often for food, employment and safety. What does this text teach us about this kind of migration?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)