Parshat Shemot

2,957 related texts · Page 305 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.

The Garden of Eden and Cain

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 21:9

At least, that's what we learn from Bereshit Rabbah 21, a fascinating passage in the ancient rabbinic commentary on Genesis. Rav tells us that "in every place, the eastern directio...

CreationHeavenAngelsAdam & Eve

Adam's Offering

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 24:5

Our story begins with the verse, "This is the book of the descendants of Adam" (Genesis 5:1). But what does that really mean? Bereshit Rabbah 24 digs into this, offering some truly...

Adam & EveMosesJobTorah

Noah's Ark and Craft

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 31:8

The verse in Genesis (6:14) states: "Craft for you an ark of cypress wood; you shall craft the ark with compartments, and you shall coat it within and without with pitch." Now, Rab...

CreationAdam & EveNoah & FloodMoses

Marriage of Sarai

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 47:1

The Torah portion Lekh Lekha is full of such hidden power, especially when we look at the transformation of Sarai into Sarah, and how that reflects her changing role. "God said to ...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsMoses

Death of Abraham and Simon

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 62:3

Our story begins with the verse: "It was after the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son, and Isaac lived beside Be’er Laḥai Ro’i" (Genesis 25:11). Be’er Laḥai Ro’i, meaning ...

CreationCreaturesPatriarchsMoses

Marriage of Esau

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 65:1

to a fascinating passage from Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis. It tackles a seemingly simple verse: "Esau was forty years old, and ...

CreationPatriarchsMosesKing David

Joseph: Judah and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 84:17

"They sat to eat bread…" Rabbi Aḥva bar Ze’eira points out something profound here. He says, "The transgression of the tribes is remembered forever; it gave hope to the world." Isn...

CreationNoah & FloodJosephPrayer

Judah: Joseph and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 85:2

You're reading one story, and suddenly – BAM! – we're in a completely different time or place. It can feel a little jarring. Well, the ancient Rabbis noticed this too, and they dov...

CreationHeavenHell/GehennaAdam & Eve

Marriage of Joseph and Nechemya

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 87:7

The story, as we know, revolves around Joseph and Potiphar's wife. Genesis 39:11 tells us, "It was on a certain day, he came into the house to perform his labor, and there was no o...

CreationJosephHoly LandEgypt