Legends of the Jews (Ginzberg)

2,650 texts · Page 209 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.

Balaam's Journey and Abraham

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:20

The story begins with an ass – not just any ass, mind you, but one created on the sixth day of creation itself! According to Legends of the Jews, this creature was gifted to Balaam...

AngelsPatriarchsMosesTorah

Balaam in Zion

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:21

That’s Balaam for you. He was on a mission, a dark one, and his poor donkey was having none of it. He’d been hired to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22), and he was determined to ge...

Holy Land

Balaam's Journey and Curses

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:22

Balaam, you might recall, was a non-Jewish prophet hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. But Balaam’s journey to curse them takes a turn for the surreal when his d...

Kingdom of Balaam and Blessings

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:23

And the answer, as we find it in the story of Balaam and his talking donkey, might just surprise you. Now, we all know the story: Balak, king of Moab, terrified of the Israelites, ...

PrayerMiraclesWisdom

Balaam's Transgression and Curses

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:25

Jewish tradition has a fascinating story about that very phenomenon, starring the infamous Balaam. Remember Balaam? The non-Jewish prophet hired to curse the Israelites? Well, even...

AngelsPatriarchsHoly Land

Balaam in Battle and Curses

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:26

This story, recounted by Rabbi Louis Ginzberg, paints a vivid picture of a man caught in a divine tug-of-war. Remember Balaam? The non-Israelite prophet hired to curse the Israelit...

Hell/GehennaAngelsPatriarchsTemple

Balaam in Battle and Balak

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:29

It’s a theme that echoes through so many stories, and it's definitely front and center in the tale of Balaam. You see, Balaam wasn't just some random guy. He was a powerful sorcere...

AngelsSoulHoly LandExile

Balaam and the Ark

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:30

The story of Balaam and Balak is one wild ride, filled with ego, failed magic, and a divine sense of humor. According to Legends of the Jews, when Balaam finally made his way to th...

Noah & FloodTempleProphecyHoly Land

Kingdom of Balak of Balaam

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:32

The story of Balak and Balaam gives us a pretty potent example. So, Balak, king of Moab, is terrified of the Israelites. He's hired Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet with, shall we s...

Holy Land