Parshat Chukat

985 related texts · Page 74 of 110

The red heifer purification ritual, the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, Moses strikes the rock, and the bronze serpent. Numbers 19:1-22:1.

Pharaoh in Paradise

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 9:8

It's not just about historical record; it's about understanding the nature of arrogance and divine justice. The book of Exodus tells us, "Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did n...

Adam & EveMosesSolomonEgypt

Moses and Creation of Rabbis

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 10:1

(Besides driving us crazy, of course!) Well, Jewish tradition has a fascinating answer, one that goes all the way back to the plagues in Egypt. The Book of Exodus recounts God's co...

CreationMosesSolomonTorah

Moses and the Dreamer of Akiva

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 10:4

In the Book of Exodus, we read, "The Lord said to Moses: Say to Aaron: Extend your hand with your staff over the rivers, over the canals, and over the pools, and cause frogs to asc...

JosephMosesHoly LandEgypt

Birth of Pharaoh of Moses

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 10:5

We read the story of the plagues, and it can feel like a foregone conclusion, like Pharaoh was just cartoonishly stubborn. But there were moments... moments where the pressure was ...

Hell/GehennaMosesTempleEgypt

Pharaoh's Transgression and Egyptians

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 10:6

Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, gives us a fascinating take on the plague of frogs. We all remember the story: Egypt is overrun with ...

JosephMosesHoly LandExile

Aaron in Joseph's Time and Moses

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 10:7

We find ourselves in Shemot Rabbah, a treasure trove of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus. The verse in question is Exodus 8:12: “The Lord said to Moses: Say to Aaron:...

DemonsJosephMosesEgypt

From Nothing to Everything and Moses

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 12:3

In the book of Exodus, we read, "The Lord said to Moses: Extend your hand toward the heavens, and there will be hail throughout the land of Egypt…" (Exodus 9:22). It seems straight...

CreationJosephMosesKing David

Enosh at the Dawn of Creation and Passover

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 15:7

Our story today comes from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus. Specifically, we're diving into section 15, which grapples with the meanin...

CreationNoah & FloodJosephMoses

Aaron: Moses at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 15:14

Our starting point is the verse "This month shall be for you" (Exodus 12:2). But Shemot Rabbah, in its characteristic way, finds a connection to Micah 6:4: "I sent Moses, Aaron, an...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsJoseph