Legends of the Jews (Ginzberg)

2,650 texts · Page 92 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.

Marriage of Judah and Adullam

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 1:63

But first, a misstep. Now, before we get to the wedding bells, understand: Judah was kind of a big deal. He was, according to some traditions, essentially the king among his brothe...

PatriarchsSoulHoly Land

Birth of Judah

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 1:64

Judah, one of Jacob's sons, married a Canaanite woman, and their firstborn was named Er, which poignantly means "the childless." As fate would have it, Er’s name was a prophecy. He...

AngelsHoly Land

Kingdom of Tamar

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 1:65

We pick up the story after some tragic events, chronicled in Genesis 38. Tamar, already twice widowed to Judah's sons, finds herself in a difficult position. According to the laws ...

PatriarchsKing DavidElijahTorah

Angels Attend to Tamar

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 1:66

Judah, one of the sons of Jacob, walks right past her. Doesn't even give her a second glance. Imagine! But Tamar? She’s not about to let this opportunity slip away. She looks up to...

AngelsProphecy

Isaac and the Fires of Gehenna

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 1:67

She is brought, against her will, before a court of law. This isn't just any court, mind you. Seated as judges are none other than Isaac, Jacob, and Judah. Yes, those Isaac, Jacob,...

Hell/GehennaPatriarchsTorah

Faith of Tamar

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 1:68

The scene is set: Tamar is about to be executed. Accused of infidelity, she desperately searches for the evidence that could prove her innocence – three pledges she had received fr...

Hell/GehennaAngelsJosephTorah

Judah's Transgression and Perez

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 1:70

They have stories too, tales of redemption, bravery, and unexpected turns of fate. Take Judah, for example. We all know he sold his brother Joseph into slavery. But did you know th...

MysticismRepentance

Trial of Judah and Joseph

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 1:73

After the whole heartbreaking ordeal of selling Joseph into slavery to the Midianites, Judah's brothers came to him with a proposition. "If things were normal," they said, "our fat...

Hell/GehennaPatriarchsJosephEgypt

Trial of Reuben

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 1:74

Take, for example, the story of Joseph and his brothers. We know about the coat, the jealousy, the slavery in Egypt… but what about their lives outside of that central drama? Inter...

AngelsPatriarchsMatriarchsJoseph