Parshat Ki Tavo

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The ceremony of first fruits, the tithes declaration, blessings and curses on Mount Gerizim and Ebal. Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8.

Light of the First Day and Abba

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 5:1

It’s a question that pulls us into the heart of Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis. We begin with the verse: "God said: Let the water ...

CreationNoah & FloodKing DavidHoly Land

Blessing of Shabbat and Berekhya

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 11:8

Even Shabbat, the day of rest, felt that way once. Isn't that incredible? Our sages grappled with a question: why did God specifically bless Shabbat? Bereshit Rabbah, a collection ...

Adam & EveMosesPrayerRepentance

Noah's Transgression of Shem

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 36:8

We often rush past Noah and the ark, but there's a tiny section in Genesis 9:26-27 that's sparked centuries of interpretation. It’s a passage about blessings, expansions, and dwell...

CreationHeavenSolomonEsther

Abraham in Battle

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 41:8

Today, we're diving into a fascinating little debate from Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis. Specifically, we're looking at C...

CreationPatriarchsSolomonJob

Abraham in Battle and Amalekites

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 42:7

Today, we're diving into Bereshit Rabbah 42, a fascinating passage from the Midrash, the body of ancient rabbinic interpretations of Scripture. This passage looks at Genesis 14, sp...

CreationHell/GehennaPatriarchsSolomon

Covenant of Ishmael

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 47:5

Specifically, we're looking at section 47, which tackles the tricky subject of God's promises to both Ishmael and Isaac. The passage centers around Genesis 17:20, where God says, "...

CreationAngelsNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Esau: Abraham and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 63:11

It all boils down to a pot of stew. Genesis 25:29 tells us, "Jacob cooked a stew, and Esau came from the field and he was weary." Simple enough. But within that weariness, and with...

CreationAdam & EveNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Jacob: Abraham and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 65:9

But what if these weren’t just random occurrences? What if they were, in a way, requested? Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa opens a fascinating door into this idea, stating, "Much, Lord my G...

CreationPatriarchsJosephKing David

Isaac's Transgression and Behold

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 67:5

Take the tale of Isaac, Jacob, and Esau. We all know the basics: Jacob deceives his father, Isaac, and steals Esau's blessing. But what happens after? What was Isaac really thinkin...

CreationPatriarchsJosephTemple