Midrash Rabbah

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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.

Bava: Solomon at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 19:2

Like, staring up at a mountain of laundry or a career change and thinking, "Where do I even begin?" Well, you're not alone. Our sages grappled with this feeling too, especially whe...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsJoseph

Solomon the Builder of Shmuel

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 19:3

It’s a thought that echoes through the ancient wisdom of Vayikra Rabbah (Leviticus Rabbah), a Midrashic collection interpreting the book of Leviticus. Rabbi Yehuda bar Rabbi Simon,...

SolomonElijahTorahHoly Land

Mount Sinai's Vision and Kohen

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 19:4

And they found wisdom in a seemingly simple verse from Ecclesiastes: "Through slothfulness the ceiling sags, and through idleness of the hands the house leaks." (Ecclesiastes 10:18...

MosesKing DavidSolomonProphecy

Isaiah: Temple and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 19:5

The ancient rabbis certainly did. And they found ways to talk about it, to process it, and to find meaning even in those tough times. We find a fascinating example of this in Vayik...

CreationMosesKing DavidElijah

Yekhonyahu's Transgression

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 19:6

It all begins with the poignant question: “Who fulfilled the mitzvah," the good deed, "of separating from a woman at the time of her discharge?” The answer? A surprising figure: Ye...

Hell/GehennaNoah & FloodMosesKing David

Death of Aaron and Noah

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 20:1

Today, we’re going to dive into a fascinating passage from Vayikra Rabbah (Leviticus Rabbah) 20 that wrestles with this very problem. Our entry point is the Book of Leviticus, spec...

CreationNoah & FloodMosesKing David

Levi: Adam and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 20:2

In Jewish tradition, this tension between joy and sorrow, celebration and mourning, is a constant theme. And it's beautifully, if somberly, explored in Vayikra Rabbah, specifically...

CreationHeavenAngelsAdam & Eve

Inspired Speech and Kavul

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 20:3

Like you're celebrating a joyous occasion, and then...bam! Tragedy strikes. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana opens with a question that really hits home: “Of laughter, I said it is confounded...

SolomonProphecyPrayerDeath

Aaron: Divine Presence

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 20:4

The passage opens with a quote from the Book of Job: “Does the eagle ascend at your directive?” (Job 39:27). Rabbi Yudan of Gaul uses this verse to ask a powerful question about Aa...

CreationHeavenNoah & FloodMoses