Legends of the Jews (Ginzberg)

2,650 texts · Page 166 of 295

Selections from Louis Ginzberg's monumental Legends of the Jews, a seven-volume compilation that weaves together aggadic material from the Talmud, Midrash, and other rabbinic literature into a continuous narrative.

Jethro: Aaron in the Days of Moses

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 1:140

The air is thick with the aroma of roasting meat, the sounds of laughter and song echoing through the desert. The Israelites, newly freed from slavery in Egypt, are gathered togeth...

MosesHoly Land

Moses: Jethro and the Origins of the World

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 2:2

He'd come to stay with Moses for over a year! But here's a little wrinkle in the story: for the first few months, Jethro didn't really see Moses in action as a judge. Why? Because,...

CreationHeavenMosesTorah

Moses's Transgression and Jethro

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 2:3

And his father-in-law, JETHRO, saw it happening right before his eyes. The story goes that Moses, after the Exodus, was single-handedly acting as judge for the entire Israelite nat...

MosesTorahProphecyWisdom

Moses's Miracle and Jethro

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 2:4

After the Exodus, leading the Israelites wasn't just about miracles and divine guidance. It was about… people. And as any leader knows, people can be complicated. We read in Legend...

HeavenMosesTorahMiracles

Moses's Miracle and Israelites

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 2:5

A wonderful moment. A sign of divine favor. But the Israelites weren't exactly thrilled. They turned to Moses and, essentially, said, "Thanks, but no thanks. We've had better." Ouc...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsMoses

Moses's Transgression

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 2:6

It wasn't as simple as picking names out of a hat, that's for sure! After delivering his blessings, Moses tasked the people with finding suitable individuals to serve as judges and...

Prayer

Jethro and the Patriarchs

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 2:7

We know the broad strokes from the Torah, but the rabbinic tradition, particularly as retold in Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews, fills in some fascinating details… details that reve...

PatriarchsJosephMoses

Giving of the Torah

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 2:10

It turns out, the ancient stories have a lot to say on the matter. We find ourselves with Moses, after the giving of the Torah, setting up the legal system. He didn’t just appoint ...

MosesTorahHoly Land

Manna from Heaven and Jethro

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 2:11

The story of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, offers a fascinating glimpse. Jethro, who according to the tradition, excelled all other converts in his love for the Torah, wasn’t just ...

CreationJosephMosesTorah