Parshat Shemot

2,863 related texts · Page 110 of 319

The Israelites' enslavement in Egypt, the birth of Moses, Moses at the burning bush, and God's call to liberate His people. Exodus 1:1-6:1.

Moses Among the Heavenly Host

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:15

We know the story: the Israelites trapped, the Egyptians bearing down, then – miraculously – the waters split, a path appears, and they escape to freedom. But what about the unseen...

AngelsMosesProphecyMysticism

Moses Among the Heavenly Host and Alas

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 24:1

The Israelites, fresh from their miraculous escape from Egypt, certainly did. The book of Exodus tells us, "Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went out to the wilderness of...

AngelsJosephMosesKing David

Moses and the Dreamer of Okay

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 24:2

Rabbi Yehuda tells us that the Israelites reasoned, "The Holy One, blessed be He, only took us out of Egypt for five things!" What were those five things? First, to give us the plu...

JosephMosesPrayerHoly Land

Moses: Yitro and the Fires of Gehenna

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 24:3

It might seem a little... unflattering at first glance. But as with so many things in our tradition, there's a depth and beauty to be found when we dig a little deeper. Shemot Rabb...

Hell/GehennaJosephMosesKing David

Life of Moses

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 25:3

We dole things out with a closed fist, hesitant, as if we're afraid of running out. But what about the Divine? Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book o...

MosesKing DavidJobProphecy

Humility of Moses and Jeremiah

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 25:6

Shemot Rabbah, a classic collection of Midrash on the book of Exodus, tackles this very question, and the answers are, frankly, . It starts with a verse from Psalms: "There is none...

CreationMosesKing DavidProphecy

Moses and the Fires of Gehenna and Miracles

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 26:2

The Israelites certainly did. In the book of Exodus, right after the incredible miracle of being freed from Egypt, they find themselves wandering in the desert, thirsty and complai...

Hell/GehennaJosephMosesMysticism

Moses's Song

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 28:1

We all know the story, but the Rabbis of the Midrash, those ancient interpreters of scripture, delve into the details, revealing layers of meaning we might otherwise miss. one fasc...

HeavenAngelsAdam & EvePatriarchs

Moses and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 28:3

The Torah tells us in Exodus 19:8, "Moses reported the statement of the people to the Lord." According to Shemot Rabbah, this moment prompted God to want to give the Torah to the I...

CreationHeavenMosesTorah