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 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...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsJoseph

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...

PatriarchsMatriarchsTorahPrayer

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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Jacob in Battle and Rachel

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 70:10

Take the story of Jacob meeting Rachel at the well. It seems straightforward: boy meets girl, asks about her family, gets the scoop. But according to Bereshit Rabbah, ancient rabbi...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsProphecy

Jacob's Miracle and Rachel

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 70:12

The Torah is full of moments that, on the surface, might seem straightforward, but when we delve deeper, we uncover layers of meaning and significance. Take, for instance, the stor...

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Laban: Jacob and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 70:13

Take the meeting of Jacob and Rachel at the well. We read in Genesis 29:12, "Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebecca’s son, and she ran and told...

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Leah: Laban at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 70:15

We often think of the big players – kings, prophets, warriors – as isolated figures. But Jewish tradition reminds us that even the mightiest oak grows from the smallest acorn, and ...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsJoseph

Leah: Laban and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 70:16

We all know the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. But have you ever paused to really consider Leah's eyes? Genesis 29:17 tells us, "Leah’s eyes were delicate and Rachel was of beau...

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