Midrash Rabbah

2,921 texts · Page 96 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.

Abraham and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 45:7

That's where our story begins, drawn from the ancient wisdom of Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis. "The angel of the Lord found her i...

CreationAngelsPatriarchsMatriarchs

Behold: Ishmael at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 45:8

In Jewish tradition, it's more than just a label. It can be a destiny, a prophecy, a divine decree. : names echo through generations, carrying stories and meanings. But what about ...

CreationAngelsPatriarchsMatriarchs

Trial of Ishmael of Elazar

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 45:9

Today, let's consider Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar, and a rather cryptic verse from Genesis (16:12) that attempts to define him: "He will be a wild man: His hand will be again...

CreationPatriarchsKing DavidDaniel

Hagar's Vision

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 45:10

It’s a question that's sparked debate and interpretation for centuries. Today, we're diving into Bereshit Rabbah 45, a fascinating passage from the Midrash that grapples with just ...

CreationAngelsNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Abraham and Creation of Abram

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 46:1

It says, "Abram was ninety-nine years old, and the Lord appeared to Abram; He said to him: I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be faultless.” Ninety-nine years old. It’s never t...

CreationPatriarchsMosesProphecy

Ishmael: Abraham at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 46:2

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." We all know the famous line from Ecclesiastes (3:1). But have you ever stopped to consider just how m...

CreationAdam & EveNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Abraham and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 46:3

The scene: God, in Genesis 17:1, reveals Himself to Abraham, saying "I am God Almighty [Shadai]." But what does Shadai really mean? The Rabbis, in Bereshit Rabbah 46, unpack this w...

CreationPatriarchsTorahCovenant

Remove: Abraham at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 46:4

The sages of the Midrash explored this very human feeling when grappling with God's command to Abraham to be circumcised. In Genesis 17:1, God tells Abraham, "Walk before Me, and b...

CreationNoah & FloodPatriarchsTorah

Covenant of Abraham and Yishmael

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 46:5

But what does it truly signify? And why there? In Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations of Genesis, we find a fascinating discussion between Rabbi Yishm...

CreationPatriarchsMosesKing David