Parshat Chayei Sarah

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The death and burial of Sarah, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac, and Rebekah joins the family. Genesis 23:1-25:18.

Ishmael in Battle and Abraham

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 47:4

It's right there in the Torah: "Abraham said to God: 'Would that Ishmael might live before You.'" (Genesis 17:18). Seems straightforward. But like so much in our tradition, there's...

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From Nothing to Everything and Abraham

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 48:12

I've been pondering just that as I was reading through Bereshit Rabbah, specifically section 48, which elaborates on a seemingly simple verse: Genesis 18:6. It reads, "Abraham hurr...

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Abraham: Eve and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 52:11

Specifically, we're diving into Bereshit Rabbah 52, which unpacks a tricky moment in Abraham's story. Remember when Abraham and Sarah are traveling, and Abraham introduces Sarah as...

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Kingdom of Abraham and Avimelekh

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 52:12

to one of those moments, a scene ripe with intrigue, involving Abraham, Sarah, and Avimelekh, king of Gerar. The story unfolds in Genesis 20. Avimelekh, deceived by Abraham’s claim...

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Birth of Isaac and Yitz

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 53:7

It's more than just a label; it's a key to understanding a person’s essence and their role in the grand tapestry of existence. Take the name ISAAC, Yitzḥak in Hebrew. It's so much ...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsMoses

Ishmael in Exile

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 53:11

The Torah tells us Sarah saw Ishmael "playing" (Genesis 21:9), and it was enough for her to demand, in no uncertain terms, that Hagar and Ishmael be banished. But what exactly did ...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsMoses

Abraham: Avimelekh and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 54:2

The passage opens with Avimelekh and Pikhol approaching Abraham. Now, who exactly was Pikhol? Rabbi Yehuda says Pikhol was his actual name. But Rabbi Nehemya offers a fascinating a...

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Wisdom of Abraham and Levi

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 59:7

We often think of blessings as material wealth, good health, maybe even a long life. But what if the true blessing is something far deeper, something almost…invisible? Let’s turn t...

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Death of Isaac

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 65:12

The ancients certainly did. And in Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of Rabbinic interpretations of Genesis, we find a fascinating glimpse into their thoughts on death, destiny...

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