Midrash Rabbah

2,921 texts · Page 323 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.

Rabbi Tarfon and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 34:16

The passage centers around the verse from Isaiah (58:12): “Through you, ancient ruins will be rebuilt; you will reestablish generations-old foundations.” What does that even mean? ...

CreationPatriarchsMosesKing David

Kingdom of David

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 35:1

Vayikra Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic homilies on the Book of Leviticus, dives into this very struggle. It all starts with the verse, "If you follow My statutes, and observe My ...

King DavidTorah

Jacob and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 35:2

The Vayikra Rabbah, a fascinating midrashic collection on the Book of Leviticus, explores this very idea. It opens with the verse "If you follow My statutes" (Leviticus 26:3) and c...

CreationPatriarchsKing DavidSolomon

Elazar: Abraham at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 35:3

Rabbi Elazar, in Vayikra Rabbah 35, offers a powerful comparison. He says, "The way of the world is that a king issues a decree; if he wishes to fulfill it, he fulfills it, and if ...

CreationPatriarchs

Jeremiah: Stars and Firmament

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 35:4

We often take these things for granted, but Jewish tradition suggests there's a deeper, more profound answer than just physics. It's all about ḥukim (חקים), statutes. But not just ...

CreationHeavenNoah & FloodKing David

Letters of Torah and Levi

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 35:5

You're not alone. Our tradition recognizes this struggle, this internal tug-of-war. And it offers a powerful image to understand it. The text we're looking at today comes from Vayi...

MosesTorahProphecyEgypt

The Tree of Life and Isaiah

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 35:6

Rabbi Aḥa ben Elyashiv, in Vayikra Rabbah 35, offers a powerful answer, drawing on the words of Isaiah: "It will be that he that is left in Zion and he that remains in Jerusalem sh...

CreationHeavenAdam & EvePatriarchs

David the Shepherd King

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 35:7

It centers around the verse, "And observe My commandments, and perform them" (Leviticus 26:3). What does it really mean to "perform" them? Rabbi Ḥama ben Rabbi Ḥanina offers a radi...

King DavidTorahSoul

First Days of Existence

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 35:8

We often think of life itself, perhaps, or the beauty of nature. But according to Jewish tradition, some gifts are so profound, so foundational, that they shape our very existence....

CreationHeavenMosesKing David