Parshat Toldot

1,998 related texts · Page 62 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.

Aaron's Transgression and Moses

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 2:21

It's more than just chance, according to the ancient rabbis. It's about divine engagement. The verse that sparks this thought is from Numbers 3:1: "And these are the generations of...

CreationAdam & EveNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Amalek's Transgression

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 16:18

It all starts with a seemingly simple verse: “Amalek dwells in the region of the south” (Numbers 13:29). But the rabbis of the Midrash ask a pointed question: why did the spies, wh...

PatriarchsHoly Land

The Garden of Eden and From

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 25:3

In Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis, we find this idea explored through a rather unsettling lens: famine. Specifically, the ...

CreationAdam & EvePatriarchsKing David

Leah: Laban and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 70:16

We all know the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. But have you ever paused to really consider Leah's eyes? Genesis 29:17 tells us, "Leah’s eyes were delicate and Rachel was of beau...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsPrayer

Rachel's Transgression and Benjamin

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 73:4

Our story begins with Rachel, one of the matriarchs of the Jewish people. She was barren, a source of immense sorrow in a time when children were seen as a woman's greatest blessin...

PatriarchsMatriarchsJosephKing David

Birth of Perez

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 85:13

It's amazing what you can find when you start digging! Take the story of Tamar giving birth to twins, Perez and Zerah (Genesis 38:27-30). Did you know that even the way the word "t...

CreationPatriarchs

Joseph: Pharaoh at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 91:5

The ancient rabbis certainly did, and they found fascinating insights in the story of Joseph in Egypt. In Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of G...

CreationPatriarchsJosephMoses

Death of Joseph and Lakish

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 97:2

The Torah portion Vayechi, at the very end of Genesis, gives us a glimpse into that very idea. Jacob, on his deathbed, blesses his sons. And when he blesses Joseph, it says, "He bl...

PatriarchsJosephMiraclesWisdom

Simeon and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 98:5

The story starts with a quote from Genesis 49:5: "Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of villainy are their heritage." But what does it really mean? Bereshit Rabbah, an ancient c...

CreationAdam & EvePatriarchsJoseph