Parshat Shemot

2,957 related texts · Page 261 of 329

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.

Rabbi's Song

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 15:3

The rabbis of old knew that struggle all too well. And they had some pretty creative ways to wake people up! There’s a story told in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the commentary on the Son...

JosephMosesProphecyHoly Land

Acts of Creation and Sivan

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 3:2

Jewish tradition is full of such considerations, especially when it comes to our sacred texts. Take, for example, the apple tree. Seems simple. But in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a compi...

CreationJosephMosesTorah

Wisdom of Solomon of Songs

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 3:1

Take this one, from Song of Songs 4:3: “Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your speech is lovely; your temple is like a pomegranate slice behind your braid.” What does it eve...

MosesSolomonTempleHoly Land

Lebanon's Song

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 8:1

to one tiny, potent verse: "Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, with me from Lebanon; look from the peak of Amana, from the peak of Senir and Ḥermon, from the dens of lions, from ...

PatriarchsJosephMosesSolomon

Reuben and Creation of Egypt

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 12:1

We're looking at verse 4:12-13: “A locked garden is my sister, my bride; a locked fountainhead, a sealed spring. Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates, with delicious fruit,...

CreationAngelsPatriarchsMatriarchs

Sarai's Prayer

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 11:4

It's more than just letters; it's a tapestry woven with meaning, with whispers of divine intention. Take the story of the letter yod, that smallest of Hebrew letters, shaped like a...

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The Ten Commandments and Tablets

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 14:1

Take this one: "His hands are rods of gold set with beryl; his belly is a slab of ivory covered with sapphires." (Song of Songs 5:14). Beautiful imagery, but what does it mean? Wel...

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Angels at the Throne and Yisakhar

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 1:13

Our sages grappled with this very question, particularly when considering the difference between how God communicates with the prophets of Israel and the prophets of other nations....

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Akeidat Yitzchak and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 2:11

to Vayikra Rabbah, specifically section 2, to uncover some fascinating layers within the verses describing the offerings. We begin with Leviticus 1:5: “He shall slaughter the young...

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