Parshat Behar

958 related texts · Page 74 of 107

The sabbatical year, the jubilee year, laws of land ownership, and the prohibition against usury. Leviticus 25:1-26:2.

Light of the First Day and Kappara

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 11:3

It's not just a book; it's a whole universe of wisdom, layered and complex. to a fascinating interpretation from Vayikra Rabbah, specifically chapter 11, where the sage Bar Kappara...

CreationNoah & FloodMosesKing David

Marriage of Solomon

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 12:5

Rabbi Yudan tells us that for seven long years, as Solomon built the Beit Hamikdash, the Temple, he abstained from wine. A monumental achievement. But the moment he finished, the m...

CreationNoah & FloodMosesKing David

He and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 14:1

We all know the basics from Genesis, but the Rabbis of the Talmud and Midrash dove deep, exploring every nuance, every implication. And what they found… well, it's Take the verse f...

CreationAdam & EveNoah & FloodMoses

Samael Among the Heavenly Host

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 21:4

Like someone's pointing out all your flaws, comparing you to others, and generally making you feel... unworthy? Well, according to some ancient Jewish texts, even the Israelites fa...

AngelsAdam & EveMosesKing David

Levi's Transgression

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 22:10

It’s a fascinating idea, and one that Vayikra Rabbah (Leviticus Rabbah), specifically section 22, explores in a surprisingly beautiful way. The passage begins by quoting Psalm 146:...

CreationHeavenCreaturesAdam & Eve

Trial of Joseph and Yael

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 23:10

It turns out the Talmud and Midrash are full of stories about them. And, interestingly, God seems to have taken special notice of their actions. In fact, Vayikra Rabbah 23 tells us...

JosephKing DavidRepentanceHoly Land

Light of the First Day and Hashanah

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 29:1

The verse from Leviticus 23:24 sets the stage: "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first of the month, shall be a rest for you, a remembrance by ...

CreationAngelsAdam & EvePatriarchs

Moses and Solomon of Yehuda

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 31:5

It’s a question that’s occupied Jewish thinkers for millennia, and today we're diving into a fascinating piece of that puzzle. Let's turn to Vayikra Rabbah, specifically chapter 31...

MosesSolomonJobTorah

Abram and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 33:2

The passage begins with a verse from Leviticus (25:14): "If you sell a sale item…[you shall not wrong [tonu] one another]." The Hebrew word tonu speaks of exploitation, of taking u...

CreationMosesJobMessiah