Menachem was a young Jew who had been engaged in the silk and spice business for almost two years. The silk came from China, and the spices from India.Menachem and his friends bought the silk and the spices from Parthian businessmen in the city of Petra. Parthians bought these goods from China and from India, and sold these to enterprising Jews who traveled in caravans using camels, donkeys and horses. Menachem and his business associates had already made seven business travels since they began their trade.