Parshat Devarim

3,275 related texts · Page 145 of 364

Moses's farewell address begins with a review of the journey from Sinai, the appointment of judges, and the scouts' mission. Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22.

Maker of Heaven and Earth of Kapara

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 1:10

Jewish tradition, in its wisdom, offers a gentle, yet firm, hand on our shoulder, guiding us back to the here and now. The very first verse of the Torah, Bereshit, "In the beginnin...

CreationHeavenMosesKing David

Betzalel and Creation of Akiva

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 1:14

They believed every single letter, every seemingly insignificant word, held profound secrets. Take the very first verse of Genesis, Bereshit (בראשית): "In the beginning, God create...

CreationHeavenAdam & EveMoses

Shammai and Creation of Beit

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 1:15

This seeming contradiction sparked quite the debate amongst our Sages. Specifically, between the schools of Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel. These two houses, or schools, were known f...

CreationNoah & FloodPatriarchsMoses

First Days of Existence and Simon

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 3:5

It's like the whole thing is one giant, intricate tapestry. Take the creation of light, for example. The very first "Let there be light!" in Genesis. Rabbi Simon, in Bereshit Rabba...

CreationJosephMosesTorah

Rabbis: Mount Sinai at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 4:2

We often read the opening verses of Genesis, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the water," and move on. But the Rabbis saw so much more in those words! What images did they...

CreationHeavenMosesJob

When God Created and Adam

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 18:4

The Midrash, those collections of rabbinic commentaries and stories that expand on the Hebrew Bible, often offer surprising perspectives. Here, in Bereshit Rabbah, a midrash on the...

CreationAdam & EveMosesTorah

Acts of Creation and Abahu

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 18:5

We get a glimpse into that, and a whole lot more about marriage, divorce, and forbidden relationships in this fascinating passage from Bereshit Rabbah 18. It all starts with the fa...

CreationAdam & EvePatriarchsMatriarchs

Dawn of the World and Yudan

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 35:3

It's more than just a colorful arc in the sky. In fact, according to Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of Rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis, the rainbow holds pro...

CreationAngelsNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Abraham's Miracle and Were

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 48:8

It opens with the seemingly simple phrase: "At the entrance [petaḥ] of the tent [ohel]." This refers to Abraham sitting at the entrance of his tent, welcoming guests. But, as is so...

CreationHeavenNoah & FloodPatriarchs