1,056 passages in Rabbinic Midrash
Individual passages from Bereshit Rabbah, shown in source order. Page 19 of 22.
Our ancestors certainly did. And sometimes, just sometimes, they got one. Take Jacob, for instance. He's been through the wringer, hasn't he? Deception, exile, wrestling angels… yo...
It's a pretty wild idea, isn't it? That Jacob, the trickster, the wrestler with angels, the father of a sometimes-fractious family, is so central to the divine plan that his image ...
Who May Ascend the Mountain of the Lord and Stand There is the question behind this passage from Bereshit Rabbah. The blessings don't stop there. "So said the Lord of hosts, God of...
Bereshit Rabbah turns to Rachel's Tomb and the Prophecy of Jacob's Family. The text in Bereshit Rabbah 82: “God appeared…again.” That little word "again" is loaded with meaning. Ra...
Bereshit Rabbah turns to God's Promise of Kings from Jacob's Line. Our tale begins with God speaking to Jacob, saying, "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and an...
One fascinating passage in Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis, dives right into this thorny issue. Specifically, it tackles Jacob's bl...
Our ancestors did. (Genesis 35:13) tells us, "God ascended from upon him, in the place where He had spoken with him." It’s a simple sentence, but it opens a window into a profound ...
Take the poignant moment when Rachel, mother Rachel, goes into labor. (Genesis 35:16) tells us, "They traveled from Beit El, and it was still some distance to arrive at Efrat, and ...
The ancient rabbis certainly did, and their struggles echo even today. to a fascinating story tucked away in Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book o...
They often hold a world of meaning, a glimpse into the hopes and fears of the parents. Take Rachel, for example, and the birth of her son. The Torah tells us, in (Genesis 35:18), "...
The Torah tells us in Genesis (35:20) that "Jacob established a monument upon her grave; it is the monument of Rachel's grave until today.” But what does it really mean to establis...
It centers on an incident involving Reuben, Jacob’s eldest son, and its lasting impact on his status within the family. The story begins with a seemingly simple statement from (Gen...
Take Esau, for example. (Genesis 36:5) tells us, "Oholivama bore Yeush, and Yalam, and Koraḥ; these are the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan." Seems straigh...
Our story comes from Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Genesis. And the verse in question is (Genesis 36:6): "Esau took his wives, and his so...
Take Timna, for example. Her story, though brief, speaks volumes about the magnetic pull of righteousness. We find her mentioned almost in passing in (Genesis 36:12): "Timna was a ...
Ever stumble upon a seemingly minor verse in the Torah and think, "There's gotta be more to this story?" That's exactly what happens when we explore (Genesis 36:24). It reads: "The...
He starts with a verse from Ezekiel, "Of oaks from Bashan they crafted your oars; [your rudder they made of ivory inlaid in boxwood from the isles of the Kitites]" (Ezekiel 27:6). ...
Rabbi Aivu starts us off with an intriguing observation. Before Israel had a king, Edom did. (The text is supplemented here based on the Matnot Kehuna, Nezer HaKodesh, and Etz Yose...
Bereshit Rabbah turns to The Rise and Fall of Kings in the Land of Edom. Rabbi Abahu, a prominent sage of the 3rd century, offers a powerful analogy. Imagine a prince locked in a l...
Specifically, The verse in question reads: "Baal Ḥanan son of Akhbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead, and the name of the city was Pa’u and his wife’s name was Mehetavel, daug...
Like everyone's shouting, "Me! Me! It's all about me!" Well, the ancient rabbis felt that too, and they captured this human tendency in a beautiful, earthy parable found in Bereshi...
Our ancestors knew a thing or two about the struggle to find that peace. Take Jacob, for example. We read in (Genesis 37:1), "Jacob settled in the land of his father's residence, i...
It’s an idea that's been puzzling thinkers for centuries, and it pops up in some pretty unexpected places in our tradition. (Proverbs 28:1) tells us, "The wicked flee without a pur...
Antoninos, a Roman emperor known for his dialogues with Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi (the compiler of the Mishnah (the earliest code of rabbinic law)), poses a question about this verse. Ra...
It wasn't just about being born into the right family. According to ancient texts, active conversion played a huge role. to a fascinating passage from Bereshit Rabbah that illumina...
Our ancestor Jacob knew it well. We find ourselves in Bereshit Rabbah (Genesis Rabbah) 84, a collection of rabbinic homilies on the Book of Genesis. The text opens with a seemingly...
Sometimes, it's woven into the very fabric of our stories. Take the story of Jacob and Joseph, father and son. At first, they're distinct individuals in the Book of Genesis. But a ...
Take the story of Joseph, for example. He's often portrayed as the righteous, almost-too-good-to-be-true figure. But was he always? Bereshit Rabbah, that incredible collection of r...
Take the story of Joseph, for example. It's a rollercoaster of sibling rivalry, betrayal, and ultimately, redemption. But what really set the stage for all that drama? It all start...
It all starts with Joseph, the favored son, and a couple of very fateful dreams. "His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers…" This line from (Genesis ...
Bereshit Rabbah turns to Joseph's Second Dream and the Sun That Bowed. Joseph is basically telling his family that they're all bowing down to him. You can imagine how well that wen...
When Joseph told his brothers about his dreams, he expected some reaction. But what he got was pure, unadulterated envy. That's exactly what we find in (Genesis 37:12): "His brothe...
Bereshit Rabbah turns to The Dotted Word That Foreshadowed Shechem's Fate. It all starts with the line: "His brothers went to herd their father’s flock in Shekhem" (Genesis 37:12)....
The Torah, and the Rabbis, have some thoughts on that. to a fascinating little piece from Bereshit Rabbah 84, a midrash (exegetical interpretation) on the Book of Genesis. It all c...
The familiar story centers on Joseph and his coat of many colors, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. But what about Reuben? What role did he play in this dramatic saga? (Ge...
Take the tale of Joseph and his brothers, for instance. The familiar story is this: jealousy, betrayal, and a colorful coat. But the Rabbis, in their infinite wisdom, saw layers of...
"They sat to eat bread…" Rabbi Aḥva bar Ze’eira points out something profound here. He says, "The transgression of the tribes is remembered forever; it gave hope to the world." Isn...
Take the story of Joseph, sold into slavery by his own brothers. The familiar story is this:. Jealousy, betrayal, a coat of many colors… but what about the aftermath? (Genesis 37:2...
Bereshit Rabbah turns to How Much the Ishmaelites Paid for Joseph. The verse in (Genesis 37:29) tells us, "Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph was not in the pit, and he...
It revolves around Jacob's grief over the apparent loss of his son, Joseph. The verse It's a powerful image of a father's devastation. But the rabbis, ever keen to find deeper mean...
The Torah tells us, "All his sons and all his daughters arose to console him, but he refused to be consoled; he said: For I will descend mourning to the grave, to my son. His fathe...
The story of Joseph, sold into slavery, gives us a dramatic answer. "The Medanites sold him to Egypt, to Potifar, an official of Pharaoh, the chief executioner" (Genesis 37:36). Bu...
You're reading one story, and suddenly – BAM! – It can feel a little jarring. Well, the ancient Rabbis noticed this too, and they dove deep into those textual "interruptions" to fi...
We all have. But did you know that, according to some interpretations, leaving a mitzvah – a good deed or commandment – unfinished can have serious consequences? Rabbi Yehuda bar S...
Sometimes, a seemingly minor detail can open up a whole world of interpretation. to a fascinating passage from Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book...
The story begins with Judah and his sons. You might remember the verse from (Genesis 38:8): "Judah said to Onan: Consort with your brother’s wife, and consummate levirate marriage ...
The Torah certainly understands that feeling. Take this little phrase we find in (Genesis 38:12): "The days accumulated…" Sounds innocuous. But in Bereshit Rabbah, the classic coll...
She was a widow, promised to Judah's youngest son, Shelah. But Shelah was growing up, and Judah just… wasn't making good on his promise. He was worried, see, because Tamar's first ...
