Parshat Balak

535 related texts · Page 47 of 60

King Balak hires Balaam to curse Israel, the talking donkey, and Balaam's blessings instead of curses. Numbers 22:2-25:9.

First Days of Existence and Akiva

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 9:40

to a really intense, and frankly, kind of disturbing ritual described in the Book of Numbers, Chapter 5. It involves a woman suspected of adultery, and... well, let's just say it i...

CreationProphecyPrayerHoly Land

Rabbis: Aaron at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 9:47

Here, we're unpacking the story of the sotah, the woman suspected of adultery, and the unique ritual designed to determine her guilt or innocence. It's a wild ride, so buckle up. O...

CreationNoah & FloodPatriarchsJoseph

Wisdom of Aaron and Esau

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 11:1

It’s a question that’s plagued humanity for millennia. And believe it or not, our ancient texts wrestle with it too. We find a fascinating perspective in Bamidbar Rabbah, specifica...

CreationHeavenHell/GehennaPatriarchs

Aaron and Noah of Priestly

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 11:4

Today, we’re diving deep into the Priestly Blessing, also known as Nesi’at Kapayim, the Lifting of the Hands, found in the Book of Numbers (6:22-27) and explored in Bamidbar Rabbah...

Noah & FloodMosesKing DavidTemple

Jacob's Transgression and Samson

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 14:9

It’s a question that our Sages grappled with, and Bamidbar Rabbah 14 dives deep into the reasons behind this seemingly small detail. The verse we’re focusing on is from Numbers 7:6...

CreationHeavenAngelsAdam & Eve

Knowledge and Innocence of Israelites

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 19:22

The Book of Numbers, in the Bamidbar Rabbah, grapples with this very question when describing the plague of fiery serpents. "The Lord sent the fiery serpents against the people, an...

Adam & EveMosesKing DavidSolomon

Birth of Bilam

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 20:14

It's all about perception, stubbornness, and maybe even a little bit of divine humor. So, the scene is set: Bilam, a non-Jewish prophet hired to curse the Israelites, is on his way...

CreationAngelsPatriarchsMoses

Bilam and the Angels

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 20:15

The Torah gives us a fascinating glimpse of such a moment in the story of Bilam, the non-Jewish prophet hired to curse the Israelites. In Numbers, chapter 22, verse 31, we read: “T...

CreationHell/GehennaAngelsNoah & Flood

Midianites in Battle and Yehoshafat

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 21:6

The Torah tells us, "When you besiege a city…you shall not destroy its trees" (Deuteronomy 20:19). Seems pretty straightforward. Protect the environment, even in wartime. But then ...

ElijahTorahProphecyPrayer