Parshat Shemot

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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.

Death of Aaron and Elazar

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 20:8

Take the story of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu. Their sudden, tragic deaths after offering "alien fire" before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1-2) is one of the most jarring moments in th...

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Nadav in Heaven

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 20:10

The story centers around Nadav and Avihu, the sons of Aaron, Moses' brother and the High Priest. These two weren’t just any ordinary guys. They were close to the top, practically J...

HeavenMosesKing DavidSolomon

Rod and Serpent of Rabbis

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 22:1

We find ourselves pondering this very question in Vayikra Rabbah 22, a section of the ancient Midrash. It begins with a seemingly simple verse from Leviticus (17:3): "Any man from ...

MosesSolomonTorahProphecy

Rod and Serpent of Roman

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 22:4

Vayikra Rabbah 22, a fascinating collection of stories and teachings, explores just that. It suggests that everything – from frogs to plants to even inanimate objects – can be inst...

MosesTorahProphecyMiracles

Moses in Solomon's Court and Land

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 25:4

The ancient sages grappled with this too, particularly when thinking about the relationship between God, the patriarchs, and the land of Israel. Let's delve into a fascinating pass...

MosesSolomonHoly Land

Moses and the Heavenly Realms of Hadrian

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 25:5

The book of Job asks, "Who set wisdom batuḥot?" (Job 38:36). The Midrash, specifically Vayikra Rabbah, explores this, asking, what even is batuḥot? The answer it gives is striking:...

HeavenMosesJobMiracles

Moses in David's Court and Tanhum

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 26:3

A code about purity, impurity, and the almost mystical ways we interact with the sacred. Well, today, let's unlock a tiny piece of that code, guided by the wisdom of our sages. Rab...

MosesKing DavidTorahDeath

Mission of Moses and Israelite

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 26:5

to a fascinating little story from Vayikra Rabbah (Leviticus Rabbah), a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Leviticus. Rabbi Berekhya, quoting Rabbi Levi, tells a...

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Moses Speaks to God and Temple

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 31:6

Let's delve into a fascinating passage from Vayikra Rabbah 31, a Midrashic text—that is, a collection of interpretations and expansions—on the book of Leviticus (Vayikra in Hebrew)...

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