Legends of the Jews (Ginzberg)

2,650 texts · Page 281 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.

Story of Elam

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:17

Sometimes, the reasons are deeper than just military might or political maneuvering. Sometimes, they're… well, let’s just say, divinely orchestrated. For a long time, the leadershi...

Esther

Haman and the Lawgiver

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:18

It all starts in Shushan, the capital city. Now, you might think celebrations are always a good thing. A time for joy and togetherness? But according to Legends of the Jews, even t...

MosesEstherEgypt

Kingdom of Haman and Mordecai

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:19

And after that, a grand feast for everyone in the capital city of Shushan. Now, according to the Megillah—the Scroll of Esther—the king wasn't trying to antagonize anyone with this...

Adam & EveEstherShabbat

Kingdom of King Ahasuerus and Haman

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:20

to the Book of Esther, or rather, the Megillah as it's known in Hebrew, and explore a moment that really set the stage for the whole dramatic story. It all revolves around King Aha...

Esther

Sages Tell a Story

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:21

It’s not inside some stuffy palace, oh no. This is an outdoor affair, staged in the royal gardens, but transformed into something truly otherworldly. The first thing you notice is ...

Torah

Kingdom of Ahasuerus and Persian

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:22

Not just any party, but the kind of party that legends are made of. We're talking about the feast of Ahasuerus, a king so wealthy, so powerful, that the very cups they drank from w...

EstherTemple

Esther's Vision

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:24

That’s the scene we encounter in the Book of Esther, and the legendary retelling of King Ahasuerus's grand banquet. But it wasn't just about the food and drink, oh no. This was a f...

EstherMessiahWisdom

Marriage of Vashti

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:27

It wasn't just some quiet little tea party, that's for sure. According to the Legends of the Jews, Vashti's banquet for the women was a spectacle in its own right, almost a mirror ...

EstherTemple

Belshazzar in Jewish Tradition

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:28

There's more to her than just a royal refusal, and her motivations might surprise you. The Megillah, the Scroll of Esther, gives us a glimpse of a queen who refuses to parade her b...

DanielEsther