162 passages in Rabbinic Midrash
Individual passages from Devarim Rabbah, shown in source order. Page 2 of 4.
Jewish tradition actually has a lot to say about that, especially the power of teshuvah (repentance), or repentance. And let me tell you, some of these stories are wild. Devarim Ra...
Devarim Rabbah, in its unique way, uses a verse from Deuteronomy as a springboard to explore just that. The verse in question is (Deuteronomy 4:39): "You shall know this day and re...
Devarim Rabbah, in section 2, uses the verse from (Ecclesiastes 5:9), "One who loves silver will never be satisfied with silver," as a springboard for exploring this very human des...
It all starts with the verse from Deuteronomy, "You shall know this day, and restore to your heart" (Deuteronomy 4:39). Rabbi Meir interprets this in a fascinating way. He suggests...
Rabbi Levi offers a compelling insight: "One who ate the dish knows its taste." In other words, Moses' own experiences, his own brushes with danger and the law, gave him a unique u...
It might seem like a niche legal issue, but within it lies a profound understanding of justice, forgiveness, and even the nature of hope itself. In Deuteronomy, we read, "Then, Mos...
A fascinating discussion from Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Deuteronomy, focusing on the Shema, Judaism's central declaration of belief: "...
That feeling, that singular connection, is at the heart of Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy. Specifically, the second section, where it...
"Hear, Israel" (Shema Yisrael) – these famous words from Deuteronomy (6:4) are the cornerstone of Jewish faith. But the Rabbis find a fascinating connection between this declaratio...
The world being divided, not along political lines, but according to celestial guardians. The Talmud tells us that after the creation, God assigned seventy nations, all descendants...
We make choices every day about who or what we'll put our faith in. What if the best choice wasn't about picking the flashiest option, but choosing the source of all blessings inst...
(Deuteronomy 6:4). It's a question that takes us back to a pivotal moment, a deathbed scene filled with both anxiety and profound unity. Devarim Rabbah 2 paints a vivid picture. Ja...
Devarim Rabbah turns to Moses and the Angels of Baruch. The Rabbis, delving into the mystical, tell us a fascinating story. When Moses ascended Mount Sinai, something incredible ha...
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6:5). It's a commandment to feel something, to direct the entire fo...
The story begins with Moses, our great leader, ascending to the heavens. Imagine the scene: clouds parting, a divine ladder stretching upwards, and Moses, step by step, approaching...
Take this passage from Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy. It all starts with a verse: "It will be, because you heed these ordinances, an...
Devarim Rabbah turns to Hell and Its Gates of Edom. What's Gilad got to do with anything? Well, Reish Lakish, whose teachings are often cited in the Midrash (rabbinic interpretive ...
It all starts with the verse, “You shall know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God” (Deuteronomy 7:9). Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba uses a parable to unpack this idea. Imagi...
The Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy, wrestles with the verse, "The Lord your God will maintain for you…" What exactly will God maintai...
It's like a subtle wink, inviting us to dig deeper and uncover hidden connections. Take this verse from Deuteronomy (7:13): "He will love you, bless you, and multiply you; He will ...
Not just for people, but for everything around them – the animals, the land, even the trees bursting with fruit. That's the vision we find in the book of Deuteronomy, 7:14: "You wi...
Devarim Rabbah, a compilation of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy, offers a powerful parable about just that – the relationship between God and Israel. It's a story of...
"Hear, Israel: you are crossing the Jordan today.." It's a powerful opening line from Deuteronomy (9:1), isn't it? A promise, a challenge, a moment of immense transition. But what ...
It seems Devarim Rabbah, in its own unique way, grapples with this very idea. The passage starts with a verse from Deuteronomy: “Hear, Israel: you are crossing the Jordan today" (D...
Our ancestors knew that feeling well. Moses, standing before the Israelites, about to impart some final, crucial wisdom. He cries out, "Shema Yisrael – Hear, O Israel!" But..why th...
It's a poignant moment, and the book of Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy, illuminates the depth of that experience. "You are crossing t...
There’s a fascinating passage in Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy, that illuminates this very concept. It all starts with a verse we kn...
Devarim Rabbah turns to Hadrian Before the Flood. Rabbi Tanhuma offers a powerful, albeit tragic, interpretation. He sees "a time to cast stones" as a reference to the Roman empero...
We all have. But have you ever stopped to consider the consequences, not just for those around you, but for yourself? The Book of Deuteronomy, or Devarim in Hebrew, is full of wisd...
Devarim Rabbah turns to Moses Invokes the Patriarchs to Save Israel From God's Wrath. The story starts with a seemingly simple statement: "carve for you." The verse in Deuteronomy ...
Devarim Rabbah turns to The Dual Messiah. This isn't just any duo,. You might be thinking, "Moses? Isn't he the guy who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Torah?" Abs...
The familiar story centers on the first set, shattered in anger at the sight of the Golden Calf. But why two in the first place? Devarim Rabbah, a collection of homilies on the Boo...
It all revolves around a seemingly simple question: how do we read the really tough parts of the Torah? Specifically, These aren't exactly the verses you'd choose for a feel-good S...
The verse in question is from (Jeremiah 13:15): “Hear and listen, do not be haughty [tigbahu]…” What does it really mean to "hear and listen?" Rabbi Tanhuma offers a powerful inter...
Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy, tackles this very question. It starts with a bold statement. Rabbi Elazar says that after God spoke a...
Devarim Rabbah turns to Sometimes Listening to Others Leads You Astray. The book of Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the book of Deuteronomy, dives right into ...
The Rabbis saw so much more. This verse in Devarim, Deuteronomy, becomes a springboard for exploring some fascinating corners of Jewish law, or halakha. Specifically, the question ...
That feeling of unexpected liberation and joy is at the heart of our story today, drawn from Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Deuteronomy. Th...
Our tradition is filled with stories that suggest it might. a few tales from Devarim Rabbah, a compilation of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy, that explore just that....
The ancient rabbis pondered this very idea, using a seemingly simple verse about eating meat to unlock profound insights about freedom, desire, and divine provision. It all starts ...
In Devarim Rabbah, a compilation of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy, we find a fascinating connection between looking after the Levites – members of the tribe of Levi...
The Book of Deuteronomy promises, "when the Lord your God will expand your border" (Deuteronomy 19:8). But what does that expansion really mean? Is it just about more territory? Th...
Devarim Rabbah turns to The Vital Role of Judges and Justice in Society. Our story today takes us into the heart of Jewish law, exploring the vital role of judges and justice. It a...
When the wisest king in Israel wanted to shake a lazy man awake, he didn't point to a lion or an eagle. He pointed to the humble ant. (Proverbs 6:6-8) tells us: "Idler, go to the a...
Devarim Rabbah turns to Why Justice Matters More to God Than Grand Rituals. The book of Devarim Rabbah, a collection of homiletic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy, wrestles wit...
Devarim Rabbah, a collection of homilies on the Book of Deuteronomy, offers a fascinating glimpse into how our sages understood the balance between divine justice and mercy. It all...
Devarim Rabbah turns to What Makes a Righteous Judge - Officers and Virtuous Leaders. The Rabbis offer a powerful image. They suggest that an officer, someone responsible for carry...
It wasn't just a concept; it was built into the very structure of power. Take, for instance, the legendary throne of King Solomon. Rav Aḥa, a sage of the Talmudic period, points us...
