Legends of the Jews

2,672 passages in Modern Compilations & Folklore

Indexed passages from this source, page 15

Individual passages from Legends of the Jews, shown in source order. Page 15 of 56.

Asenath Pleaded for the Lives of the Handmaids' Sons

Legends of the Jews 1:485

One such story, expanded upon in Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews, concerns Asenath, Joseph's wife. Remember the dramatic reunion of Joseph and his brothers? It turns out there was m...

PatriarchsMatriarchsJosephMoses

Joseph Made His Brothers Swear to Carry His Bones Home

Legends of the Jews 1:487

Legends of the Jews turns to Joseph Made His Brothers Swear to Carry His Bones Home. It's a promise that when God finally remembers them – when God "visits" them, as the text says ...

JosephHoly LandEgyptDeath

Egypt — Joseph Among the Fathers

Legends of the Jews 1:488

Our story takes us back to Joseph in Egypt, a man who rose from prisoner to viceroy. As his life neared its end, Joseph knew he had one crucial task left: to ensure his bones would...

PatriarchsJosephMosesMessiah

Teachings of Joseph

Legends of the Jews 1:489

He’s not just celebrating; he’s teaching. He’s imparting wisdom gleaned from his own tumultuous life. He urges his brothers to walk in the ways of the Lord, to make themselves wort...

PatriarchsJosephMessiahEgypt

Joseph on His Deathbed Prophesied Israel's Suffering and Deliverance

Legends of the Jews 1:490

Legends of the Jews turns to Joseph on His Deathbed Prophesied Israel's Suffering and Deliverance. Can you Joseph, the dreamer, the interpreter of Pharaoh's dreams, the savior of E...

CreationMatriarchsJosephHoly Land

Joseph's Vision of Egypt

Legends of the Jews 1:492

Legends of the Jews turns to Joseph's Vision of Egypt. The story doesn't end there. Legends of the Jews, that incredible compilation of rabbinic lore by Louis Ginzberg, fills in so...

JosephMosesWisdomHoly Land

Moses Searched Three Days for Joseph's Sunken Coffin

Legends of the Jews 1:493

Legends of the Jews turns to Moses Searched Three Days for Joseph's Sunken Coffin. Moses knew something crucial: the Israelites couldn't truly be free until they fulfilled the oath...

JosephMosesHoly LandEgypt

The Egyptians Sank Joseph's Coffin in the Nile to Keep Israel

Legends of the Jews 1:494

That feeling of responsibility, that weight of expectation... it's woven deep into the fabric of Jewish history. And no story embodies that more poignantly than the tale of Moses a...

JosephMosesMessiahHoly Land

Moses Carried Joseph's Coffin While Others Grabbed Egyptian Gold

Legends of the Jews 1:495

The story of Joseph, his coffin, and Moses is one such tale. It's a powerful reminder that even in the chaos of escape and liberation, honoring a pledge matters deeply. The scene: ...

JosephMosesHoly LandEgypt

Joseph's Coffin Traveled with the Ark Through the Wilderness

Legends of the Jews 1:497

A tale of loyalty, promise, and righteous living. before he passed, Joseph made his brothers promise to carry his bones with them when they finally left Egypt. A pretty big ask. Bu...

Noah & FloodJosephMosesTorah

Joseph Was Buried in Shechem Where He Had Been Stolen

Legends of the Jews 2:2

Upon entering the Holy Land, the very first thing they did was bury Joseph's bones in Shechem. Why Shechem, of all places? Well, the Talmud tells us that God Himself instructed the...

AngelsNoah & FloodPatriarchsJoseph

Jethro Visits Moses After Months in Heaven

Legends of the Jews 2:2

He'd come to stay with Moses for over a year! But here's a little wrinkle in the story: for the first few months, Jethro didn't really see Moses in action as a judge. Why? Because,...

CreationHeavenMosesTorah

Why God Created the World with Ten Utterances

Legends of the Jews 2:3

It all comes down to ten little words. Stop and think about that for a moment. Why ten? Wouldn't one all-powerful "POOF!" have done the trick? That's the question the rabbis wrestl...

Hell/GehennaHumorCreationAdam & Eve

Reuben and the Dreamer

Legends of the Jews 2:3

When it comes to the Tribes of Israel, their names aren't just labels, they're prophecies, whispers of a future redemption woven into the very fabric of their identity. Each name, ...

JosephMosesJobTorah

Jethro Watches Moses Judge Israel Alone All Day

Legends of the Jews 2:3

His father-in-law, JETHRO, saw it happening right before his eyes. The story goes that Moses, after the Exodus, was single-handedly acting as judge for the entire Israelite nation....

MosesTorahProphecyWisdom

Death of Joshua of Israelites

Legends of the Jews 2:3

It's not a decision to take lightly. So, they turn to God for guidance. And the answer they receive is… well, it’s pretty interesting. God basically says, “If your hearts are pure,...

AngelsRepentanceHoly Land

The Human Body as a Miniature World

Legends of the Jews 2:4

The very act of creating humanity was unique. Unlike the rest of creation, which sprang forth simply from God's word, man was formed by the hand of God Himself. It's a pretty power...

CreationHeavenAngelsTemple

Issachar and the Patriarchs

Legends of the Jews 2:4

Legends of the Jews turns to Issachar and the Patriarchs. Issachar is often associated with learning, with scholarship. But did you know that the names of his sons themselves refle...

PatriarchsTorahWisdomHoly Land

Jethro Tells Moses He Cannot Lead Alone

Legends of the Jews 2:4

After the Exodus, leading the Israelites wasn't just about miracles and divine guidance. It was about… people. And as any leader knows, people can be complicated. We read in Legend...

HeavenMosesTorahMiracles

Kenaz and the Soul

Legends of the Jews 2:4

A reader can skim over those parts, but the rabbis of old wrestled with them. They tried to understand the motivations, the divine reasoning, behind seemingly harsh actions. Take t...

SoulRepentanceHoly LandJudgment

The Entire World Was Created for the Pious

Legends of the Jews 2:5

Jewish tradition answers with a resounding "YES!" It's a story woven into the very fabric of creation, a cosmic promise whispered through the ages. In Legends of the Jews, a collec...

MosesElijahDanielTorah

Israel Complains That Moses's Blessing Falls Short

Legends of the Jews 2:5

A wonderful moment. A sign of divine favor. But the Israelites weren't exactly thrilled. They turned to Moses and, essentially, said, "Thanks, but no thanks. We've had better." Ouc...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsMoses

Kenaz's Transgression

Legends of the Jews 2:5

One man, Kenaz, is tasked with a monumental mission: to bring forth the truth from each of the tribes. It's a daunting task, like trying to hold water in your hands. As the story g...

Noah & FloodMosesTorahTemple

God Consulted the Angels Before Making Humankind

Legends of the Jews 2:6

Not according to some powerful Jewish legends! They paint a picture of a world created specifically for us, for the people of Israel. It’s a pretty bold claim, isn't it?According t...

CreationHeavenJosephMoses

Aaron and the Dreamer

Legends of the Jews 2:6

It teaches us that names aren't just labels; they're prophecies, reflections of character, even echoes of history. Take the tribe of Gad, for example. According to Ginzberg's Legen...

JosephMosesProphecyHoly Land

How Moses Picked Judges and Refused to Rubber-Stamp

Legends of the Jews 2:6

It wasn't as simple as picking names out of a hat, that's for sure! After delivering his blessings, Moses tasked the people with finding suitable individuals to serve as judges and...

PrayerMosesJudgmentWisdom

Amorite Books and Precious Idols Survive Divine Fire

Legends of the Jews 2:6

Legends of the Jews turns to Amorite Books and Precious Idols Survive Divine Fire. That. Everything reduced to ash, but these artifacts remain untouched. Fire couldn’t burn them. W...

HeavenAngelsPatriarchsJoseph

Five Tribes of Benjamin Perished in Egypt for Their Sins

Legends of the Jews 2:7

The ancient traditions certainly thought so. Let's turn our gaze to the tribe of Benjamin. According to the Legends of the Jews, as retold by Louis Ginzberg, we can almost read the...

JosephRepentanceEgypt

Jethro and the Patriarchs

Legends of the Jews 2:7

Legends of the Jews turns to Jethro and the Patriarchs. The people, fresh from the Exodus, were supposedly thrilled with Moses' plan to establish a system of judges. But were their...

PatriarchsJosephMosesJudgment

The Ten Commandments of Temple

Legends of the Jews 2:7

What about the truly sacred objects? Well, let's We know it vanished from historical record after the destruction of the First Temple. But according to some fascinating legends, th...

Noah & FloodSolomonTorahTemple

God Threatened to Unmake the World If Israel Refused Torah

Legends of the Jews 2:9

It kind of does. God, in His infinite wisdom, creates the universe. A dazzling display of stars, planets, oceans, mountains.. but with a catch. A cosmic "Terms and Conditions," if ...

CreationHeavenMosesTorah

Trial of Naphtali

Legends of the Jews 2:10

They're often more than just labels – they're stories whispered on the wind, echoes of values and beliefs. Take the tribe of Naphtali, for example. According to Legends of the Jews...

HeavenPatriarchsJosephSoul

Moses Sets Up the Courts of Justice After Sinai

Legends of the Jews 2:10

It turns out, the ancient stories have a lot to say on the matter. We find ourselves with Moses, after the giving of the Torah, setting up the legal system. He didn’t just appoint ...

MosesTorahHoly LandJudgment

Kenaz Carries Glowing Stones That Light Up the Earth

Legends of the Jews 2:10

Legends of the Jews turns to Kenaz Carries Glowing Stones That Light Up the Earth. Then, of course, there's the battle. After these preparations, Kenaz leads an army of three hundr...

CreationTempleCovenant

He and the Angels

Legends of the Jews 2:11

Spoiler alert: it wasn't. In fact, a heavenly debate raged, with the angels themselves deeply divided about whether creating humankind was a good idea. The scene. The Angel of Love...

CreationHeavenAngels

Reuben's Transgression

Legends of the Jews 2:11

Reuben, burdened by the weight of his past transgression, felt compelled to warn those around him. He spoke of seven tempter spirits, insidious forces that can lead us astray. Thes...

AngelsPatriarchsMatriarchsSoul

Manna Fell in Abundance the Day Jethro Arrived

Legends of the Jews 2:11

The story of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, offers a fascinating glimpse. Jethro, who according to the tradition, excelled all other converts in his love for the Torah, wasn’t just ...

CreationJosephMosesTorah

Kenaz Leads a Night Raid Against the Amorite Warriors

Legends of the Jews 2:11

Well, he wasn't exactly a household name like Abraham or Moses, but he was a figure of incredible determination. We find him in Legends of the Jews (Ginzberg), ready to face a chal...

MosesPatriarchsWarHumor

The Angels Who Opposed the Creation of Humans

Legends of the Jews 2:12

The universe is a vast, seemingly endless expanse, and yet, here we are, tiny humans on a small planet, contemplating our existence. It’s a question that has plagued philosophers a...

TorahAngelsCreationHumor

Wisdom of Jethro

Legends of the Jews 2:12

The descendants of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law. What happened to his family after the Exodus? Well, legend has it they eventually settled in Palestine. And not just anywhere, but ...

TempleHoly LandTribesJoshua

Kenaz Prays Alone Before Walking Into the Enemy Camp

Legends of the Jews 2:12

Kenaz, a figure shrouded in biblical lore, found himself in just such a predicament. He was a warrior, a leader, and he was about to walk right into the heart of the enemy camp, al...

PrayerMiraclesSacrifice

Gabriel — Adam and the Angels

Legends of the Jews 2:13

Before God created Adam, He made the surprising decision to consult the angels. And their response nearly got them all destroyed. Well, according to tradition, some angels did have...

AngelsExileArchangelsAdam & Eve

Reuben Told His Children to Follow Levi and Study Torah

Legends of the Jews 2:13

Legends of the Jews turns to Reuben Told His Children to Follow Levi and Study Torah. Well, according to Legends of the Jews, Reuben, despite his past failings, had a powerful mess...

JosephTorahMessiahHoly Land

Jethro and the Matriarchs

Legends of the Jews 2:13

You remember Jethro. Moses' father-in-law? The Midianite priest who recognized the greatness of God even before the Israelites fully grasped it? Well, according to the legends, his...

MatriarchsTorahPrayerHoly Land

Kenaz Among the Heavenly Host

Legends of the Jews 2:13

It's a story of courage, divine intervention, and a rather gruesome solution to a sticky problem. The scene: The Amorites, ancient inhabitants of Canaan, are preparing for war agai...

AngelsSoulPrayer

Labbiel Beyond the Firmament

Legends of the Jews 2:14

It’s not all harps and halos, let me tell you. Some of them… well, they weren’t exactly thrilled with the idea. The Ginzberg's says retelling in Legends of the Jews, there were cel...

HeavenHell/GehennaAngelsWisdom

The Rechabites Who Earned Seats in the Sanhedrin

Legends of the Jews 2:14

The Rechabites were not born Israelite, but the sages imagined them earning seats in the Sanhedrin. These weren't Israelites, not in the traditional sense. They were descendants of...

Noah & FloodKing DavidTorahTemple

Kenaz Witnesses a Miracle

Legends of the Jews 2:14

See, Kenaz was a pretty important figure. He was a judge, a leader. And he was up against the Amorites – a fierce, formidable enemy. But here's the thing: when Kenaz returned to hi...

MiraclesHumorAdam & EveRedemption