Legends of the Jews (Ginzberg)

2,650 texts · Page 215 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.

Faith of Moses and Joshua

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:90

Even Moses, the great lawgiver, felt that sting. We often think of Moses as this towering figure, unflinching in his faith, boldly confronting Pharaoh and leading the Israelites th...

Hell/GehennaJosephMosesHoly Land

Joshua: Moses and the Promised Land

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:92

It’s a moment packed with weight, the transfer of leadership for an entire people. – leading the Israelites after Moses? Talk about big shoes to fill! The story goes that after Mos...

MosesHoly Land

Joshua's Miracle and Moses

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:93

The weight of that moment, the sheer magnitude of the loss... it's almost unbearable to contemplate. According to Legends of the Jews, when Joshua heard the words of Moses, words e...

CreationNoah & FloodMosesTorah

Joshua: Moses at the Dawn of Creation

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:94

That’s kind of how the Jewish tradition sees things. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua. It's a powerful moment, heavy with...

CreationHeavenAngelsNoah & Flood

Moses's Transgression and Balaam

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:96

It's a story of justice, regret, and ultimately, a final act of redemption for Moses. Remember Balaam, the non-Jewish prophet hired to curse Israel, who instead ended up blessing t...

PatriarchsMosesPrayerRepentance

Destruction of Sodom and Ammonites

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:97

Remember him? He was Abraham's nephew. His daughters famously conceived children by him after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:30-38), leading to the birth of the ...

MosesRepentanceHoly Land

Midianites in Battle and Moab

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:98

Specifically, think about the Midianites and the Moabites. Both were thorns in the side of Israel, but according to tradition, the command to wage war against them came at the same...

Hell/GehennaMosesKing DavidRepentance

Death of Moses and Midianites

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:99

And it’s certainly on display as we approach the end of Moses' life in the book of Numbers. The story goes that God tells Moses he’s going to die soon, specifically after avenging ...

MosesHoly Land

Death of Moses and Joshua

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:100

The story goes that Moses, knowing his time was drawing near, faced a weighty decision. God commanded him to wage war against the Midianites. But Moses, ever the insightful leader,...

MosesHoly Land