Midrash Rabbah

2,921 texts · Page 84 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.

Hezekiah and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 35:2

The Torah tells us that the rainbow is a sign of the covenant between God and humanity after the flood, a promise that the world will never again be destroyed in that way. As it sa...

CreationNoah & FloodPatriarchsElijah

Dawn of the World and Yudan

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 35:3

It's more than just a colorful arc in the sky. In fact, according to Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of Rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis, the rainbow holds pro...

CreationAngelsNoah & FloodPatriarchs

The Great Flood of Levi

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 36:1

Today, we're diving into a fascinating passage from Bereshit Rabbah 36, a midrashic commentary on the Book of Genesis, which grapples with this very dilemma, using the story of Noa...

CreationDemonsNoah & FloodMoses

Noah and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 36:2

The Book of Job (34:24) tells us that God "shatters [yaroa] the powerful without number." What does that even mean? Well, Midrash Rabbah, specifically Bereshit Rabbah 36, interpret...

CreationNoah & FloodJobProphecy

Moses: Noah and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 36:3

The Rabbis certainly wondered. Bereshit Rabbah, that incredible collection of rabbinic interpretations of Genesis, dives deep into this seemingly simple verse. It asks, why a viney...

CreationDemonsNoah & FloodMoses

From Nothing to Everything and Noah

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 36:4

We often picture Noah releasing the dove, seeing the rainbow, and rebuilding the world. But the Torah tells us a less rosy story, a story of wine, exposure, and consequences. A sto...

CreationNoah & FloodJosephProphecy

First Days of Existence and Canaan

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 36:5

There's a curious incident involving Noah's son, Ḥam, that raises some eyebrows and leads to some pretty profound interpretations. Genesis 9:22 tells us, "Ḥam, father of Canaan, sa...

CreationAdam & EveNoah & FloodJoseph

Shem: The Great Flood

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 36:6

The Torah gives us a glimpse in the story of Noah and his sons after the flood (Genesis 9:20-27). It's a tale of nakedness, shame, and ultimately, divine reward and retribution. to...

CreationNoah & FloodJosephDaniel

Noah's Transgression of Canaan

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 36:7

The passage in Genesis (9:24) tells us, "Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his youngest son had done to him." Now, Bereshit Rabbah, that incredible collection of rabbinic int...

CreationNoah & FloodJosephJob