Parshat Toldot

1,998 related texts · Page 197 of 222

The birth of Jacob and Esau, Esau sells his birthright, Isaac and the Philistines, and Jacob receives Isaac's blessing through deception. Genesis 25:19-28:9.

Leah: Zebulun at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 72:6

We’re talking about Leah, wife of Jacob. You remember Leah: first wife, given in a switcheroo by her father Laban! By this point, she’s already given Jacob a whole bunch of sons. B...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsProphecy

Laban: Dina and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 73:9

We find a classic example of that – and its consequences – in the story of Jacob and Laban. It all revolves around a seemingly simple agreement about sheep, and honesty... or the l...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsSolomon

Gamliel: Rachel at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 74:2

It turns out, this isn't just a modern consideration. The ancient rabbis were thinking about this too! Our story today comes from Bereshit Rabbah (Genesis Rabbah), a collection of ...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchs

Laban's Transgression

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 74:3

Jacob, our patriarch, knew that feeling all too well. He was working for his father-in-law, Laban, and things were…complicated. In Genesis 31, we hear Jacob expressing his frustrat...

CreationAngelsPatriarchsProphecy

Death of Rachel

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 74:4

But the rabbis of the Talmud saw something more. Rabbi Yudan offers one explanation: Rachel died first "because she spoke before her sister." It's a fascinating idea, suggesting pe...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsSolomon

Laban's Vision

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 74:7

It’s a question that’s been pondered for centuries, and our tradition offers some fascinating insights. a passage from Bereshit Rabbah 74, which delves into the nature of prophecy ...

CreationAngelsPatriarchsSolomon

Rabbi Shimon and the Heavenly Realms of Elazar

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 79:6

The Torah teaches us about showing appreciation for the benefits we receive, and this sentiment is beautifully explored in Bereshit Rabbah, the classic rabbinic commentary on the B...

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Birth of Dina

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 80:1

The verse tells us, "Dina, daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land." Seems simple enough. But the rabbis saw much more. The text im...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsSolomon

Dinah and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 80:3

Jewish tradition certainly has. to a fascinating, if unsettling, tale from Bereshit Rabbah (Genesis Rabbah) 80 that explores just that. The verse we’re unpacking is from 2 Kings 14...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsSoul