Legends of the Jews (Ginzberg)

2,650 texts · Page 74 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.

Rachel Among the Fathers and Jacob

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:109

He finds a group of shepherds just standing there, killing time. "Why aren't you watering your sheep?" he asks, a little puzzled. "Are you day laborers? It's early to stop working....

PatriarchsMatriarchsSoulMiracles

Jacob's Journey and Haran

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:112

Fleeing his brother Esau's wrath, he journeys to Haran. He's alone, probably scared, and definitely uncertain about his future. But then, something extraordinary happens. He arrive...

PatriarchsMatriarchsMosesMiracles

Jacob's Transgression and Rachel

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:114

That’s almost what happened when Jacob first met Rachel. The story goes that when Jacob arrived in Haran, he encountered the beautiful Rachel at a well. Overjoyed to see his cousin...

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Rachel's Transgression and Jacob

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:115

It all starts when Rachel, upon hearing that Jacob, her cousin, has arrived, races home to tell her father, Laban. Sadly, the Torah tells us that Rachel’s mother had already passed...

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Kingdom of Jacob and Laban

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:116

Laban, in the Bible, certainly felt that way about his nephew, Jacob. Now, Laban wasn't exactly known for his generosity. When he heard about Jacob's arrival, penniless and seeking...

PatriarchsPrayerShabbat

Laban in Battle and Jacob

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:117

Sometimes, the answers are stranger than you might think. Let's talk about Laban, Jacob's uncle, and his… unique… approach to family relations. Laban, as we know, wasn't exactly wi...

Patriarchs

Jacob's Journey of Rachel

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:118

After fleeing his brother Esau’s wrath, Jacob found himself in Haran, and his eyes landed on Rachel. It was love at first sight. According to Legends of the Jews, Jacob, upon seein...

PatriarchsMatriarchsMiracles

Laban in Battle of Jacob

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:119

Jacob certainly did when dealing with Laban. Can you blame him? Laban wasn’t exactly known for his straightforward dealings. We pick up the story of Jacob from Ginzberg's Legends o...

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Marriage of Laban

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:122

The ancient rabbis certainly knew the type. "It profits not if a villain is cast into a sawmill," they said. Neither force nor gentle words can sway a true rascal. And according to...

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