Parshat Toldot

1,998 related texts · Page 204 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.

Joseph and Creation of Benjamin

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:1

The Song of Songs, that most passionate and allegorical of biblical books, wrestles with that very feeling. to a fascinating interpretation from Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a classical m...

CreationPatriarchsJosephMoses

David: Abraham and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 1:4

Vayikra Rabbah, a classical midrashic text – meaning, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Torah – offers a fascinating perspective. It begins by exploring the verse in ...

CreationPatriarchsMosesKing David

Ephraim's Legacy

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 2:3

to a story about the name Ephraim, and how it’s so much more than just a name. The Midrash, specifically Vayikra Rabbah, that treasure trove of rabbinic interpretations, offers us ...

PatriarchsKing DavidTorahProphecy

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...

CreationPatriarchsJosephMoses

Antoninus in Heaven

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 3:2

We start with the verse, "When a person presents a meal offering to the Lord" (Leviticus 2:1). But the Rabbis cleverly link this to Psalm 22:24: "Those who fear the Lord, praise Hi...

HeavenPatriarchsKing DavidMessiah

Shem and Divine Judgment

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 5:3

to a fascinating passage from Vayikra Rabbah, a Midrash, or interpretive commentary, on the Book of Leviticus, that touches upon this very issue. The passage opens with a quote fro...

Hell/GehennaCreaturesPatriarchsJoseph

Rabbi Shimon's Transgression and Abraham

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 9:9

In Vayikra Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic homilies on the Book of Leviticus, we find a powerful exploration of peace. Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai declares that "Great is peace, as all...

CreationHeavenAngelsPatriarchs

Laban: Rebecca and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 23:1

The Torah tackles this very question, and the answer is surprisingly nuanced. We find a fascinating passage in Vayikra Rabbah 23, which delves into Leviticus 18:3: “You shall not a...

CreationPatriarchsJosephSolomon

Malkitzedek: Abraham at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 25:6

It's more than just a ritual. It touches on themes of covenant, perfection, and even the very nature of blessing. to a fascinating passage from Vayikra Rabbah, a Midrashic text fil...

CreationHeavenNoah & FloodPatriarchs