Legends of the Jews (Ginzberg)

2,650 texts · Page 179 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.

Moses in Battle and Bezalel

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 3:17

God, in all His glory, gave Moses meticulous instructions on how to build it. Seems straightforward. Wrong. According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, poor Moses des...

CreationHeavenMatriarchsMoses

Solomon Beyond the Firmament and Temple

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 3:18

We know the menorah was originally housed in the Tabernacle, that portable sanctuary that accompanied the Israelites through the desert. Later, it found its permanent home in the T...

HeavenNoah & FloodMosesSolomon

Moses's Offering and Does

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 3:20

Specifically, the altar. According to Legends of the Jews, when God instructed Moses to build the altar from shittim wood (that's acacia wood) and overlay it with brass, Moses had ...

HeavenMosesTempleMiracles

Aaron's Transgression and Temple

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 3:21

The Talmud, in Tractate Chullin 60b, quotes God as saying, "Dead things come before Me and leave Me imbued with life." Powerful. But what does it really mean? The Sages, in their i...

Noah & FloodMosesSolomonTemple

Wisdom of Solomon and the Altar

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 3:23

When he built the Beit Hamikdash, the Holy Temple, in Jerusalem, he constructed a brand new altar for offerings. But Solomon, in his wisdom, retained the original name for his new ...

MosesSolomonTempleSoul

Jacob's Legacy of Egypt

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 3:24

It wasn't like they could just pop down to Home Depot. The Torah tells us about the intricate details of the Tabernacle, but sometimes leaves us wondering about the logistics. Well...

PatriarchsJosephTemplePrayer

Shittim Before the Altar

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 3:25

It wasn't just about picking any old wood, you know. The choice was incredibly specific, and brimming with meaning. Of all the trees available -- and the text tells us there were t...

TempleRepentanceHoly Land

Way of the Patriarchs and Mishkan

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 3:27

It wasn’t just a tent, was it? According to ancient wisdom, it was a reflection of something much, much bigger. The idea is this: "for to all that is above there is something corre...

PatriarchsTempleHoly Land

Windows of Heaven and Tabernacle

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 3:28

It turns out, even the number of curtains held a profound significance. : eleven curtains made of goats' hair. Why eleven? Well, according to tradition, it mirrors the eleven heave...

HeavenTempleRepentanceHoly Land