Parshat Balak

535 related texts · Page 54 of 60

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

Noah and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 17:5

After all, it's not exactly a flattering name given Canaan's, shall we say, complicated backstory. Vayikra Rabbah, a fascinating collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Lev...

CreationNoah & FloodPatriarchsMoses

Zion's Transgression

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 24:4

That’s the kind of feeling we're going to explore today, but with a very specific location in mind: Zion. We find a fascinating passage in Vayikra Rabbah, a midrashic collection fo...

MosesKing DavidTorahTemple

Malkitzedek: Abraham at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 25:6

It's more than just a ritual. It touches on themes of covenant, perfection, and even the very nature of blessing. to a fascinating passage from Vayikra Rabbah, a Midrashic text fil...

CreationHeavenNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Land: Abraham at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 28:6

We often overlook the seemingly insignificant, but Jewish tradition teaches us that profound blessings can reside even there. Take, for instance, the omer offering. What exactly is...

CreationHell/GehennaNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Shelomit and the Heavenly Realms

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 32:1

We're diving into a fascinating little corner of the book of Leviticus, specifically Vayikra Rabbah 32, and trust me, it’s juicier than it sounds. The passage in Leviticus 24:10-11...

HeavenAdam & EveMosesKing David

Herod Beyond the Firmament

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 35:10

Vayikra Rabbah, a fascinating collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Leviticus, gives us a glimpse into that idyllic vision. Specifically, it discusses the verse “I ...

HeavenProphecyRepentanceSabbath

Levi: The Golden Calf

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 1:12

Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Psalms, offers a fascinating perspective. It points to the tribe of Levi, specifically those who resisted ...

AngelsPatriarchsMosesTorah

Doeg in Heaven

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 5:8

The Book of Psalms certainly does. And the Midrash, the ancient rabbinic commentaries, dives deep into these very questions. Today, we're looking at Midrash Tehillim 5, a fascinati...

HeavenHell/GehennaMosesKing David

Abraham and Creation and the Crown

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 6:1

Midrash Tehillim, a beautiful collection of interpretations on the Book of Psalms, offers a powerful contrast to this feeling. It tells us that while worldly gifts can be lost, the...

CreationHeavenHell/GehennaNoah & Flood