Midrash Rabbah

2,921 texts · Page 123 of 325

The great Midrash Rabbah, a collection of aggadic midrashim on the Torah and the Five Megillot. These rabbinic commentaries explore the deeper meanings of Scripture through parable, allegory, and legend.

Yitz: Rebecca at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 67:9

Specifically, we’re going to zoom in on a moment of high tension, guided by the insights of Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis...

CreationPatriarchsKing DavidMessiah

Birth of Rebecca

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 67:10

Take the story of Jacob and Esau, a tale filled with sibling rivalry, deception, and a mother's desperate attempt to protect her son. When Rebecca realizes the danger Jacob is in a...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchs

Isaac: Rebecca at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 67:11

The kind that makes you want to throw your hands up and say, "Enough!" Well, pull up a chair, because the story of Rebecca and Isaac, and the mess with Esau's wives, takes family d...

CreationPatriarchs

Jacob: Blessing of Isaac

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 67:12

"Isaac summoned Jacob and he blessed him. He commanded him and said to him: Do not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan" (Genesis 28:1). Simple enough. But Rabbi Abahu sees som...

CreationPatriarchsSolomonWisdom

Trial of Esau and Ishmael

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 67:13

Take the tale of Esau, brother of Jacob. He wasn't exactly winning any popularity contests with his parents. Genesis 28:8 tells us, "Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan were obje...

CreationPatriarchsSolomonRepentance

Esau: Jacob's Journey

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 68:1

Our ancestor Jacob certainly did. His journey to Ḥaran, fleeing the wrath of his brother Esau, is more than just a road trip; it's a masterclass in facing your fears. "Jacob depart...

CreationPatriarchsSolomon

Angels of Mercy and Jacob

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 68:2

Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman begins our story in Bereshit Rabbah 68, by interpreting a verse from Psalms (121:1) as referring directly to Jacob’s experience. “A song of ascents. I lift ...

CreationAngelsPatriarchsKing David

Light of the First Day and Abbahu

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 68:3

The rabbis of old grappled with this question, too. And they found answers woven into the very fabric of our sacred texts. Rabbi Abbahu, a fascinating figure from the 3rd century, ...

CreationPatriarchsSolomonTorah

Isaac and Creation of Yosei

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 68:4

We know, of course, the story of creation: six days of incredible activity, culminating in rest. But what about after that? What occupies the divine attention now? Well, according ...

CreationPatriarchsMosesKing David