Parshat Vaera

2,979 related texts · Page 308 of 331

God reveals His name to Moses, the first seven plagues strike Egypt, and Pharaoh's heart is hardened. Exodus 6:2-9:35.

The Golden Calf

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 43:2

You remember the story. Moses is up on Mount Sinai receiving the Torah, and the Israelites, feeling abandoned, panic and create a golden idol to worship. Big mistake. Shemot Rabbah...

HeavenHell/GehennaMosesSolomon

The Golden Calf

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 47:2

We all know the story of the first set, shattered in anger at the sight of the Golden Calf. But what about the second? Was it just a simple do-over? Shemot Rabbah, the compilation ...

Moses

Olive Branch and Shimon

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 47:3

It’s a question that delves into the very heart of our tradition, and Shemot Rabbah (Exodus Rabbah) offers some pretty powerful insights. Let's unpack it. The verse in question is ...

Noah & FloodMosesKing DavidTorah

Ring of Solomon and Meeting

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 3:4

The earth shook, the trumpets blared, GOD spoke... but was that it? Rabbi Elazar has a fascinating take on this, and it all hinges on a seemingly simple verse from Leviticus: "The ...

MosesSolomonTorahHoly Land

Nadab and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 20:11

We find ourselves in Vayikra Rabbah, specifically chapter 20, digging into the story of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, and their brothers Elazar and Itamar. You remember Nadab and ...

CreationPatriarchsMosesKing David

Day of Atonement and Priest

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 21:12

See, Leviticus 16:23 tells us that Aaron, the High Priest, would enter the Tent of Meeting – the Ohel Mo'ed – and remove the linen vestments he wore when he entered the Sanctum – t...

AngelsMosesTempleSoul

Saul and the Lawgiver

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 22:6

It teaches us that even the smallest injustice can have enormous consequences, echoing through the world and even impacting our relationship with the Divine. Our jumping-off point ...

MosesSolomonTorahTemple

Zion's Transgression

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 24:4

That’s the kind of feeling we're going to explore today, but with a very specific location in mind: Zion. We find a fascinating passage in Vayikra Rabbah, a midrashic collection fo...

MosesKing DavidTorahTemple

Abraham in Joseph's Time

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 25:7

Sometimes, the answer lies in the most unexpected places, like, say, a close reading of the book of Ezekiel and a bit of ancient commentary. In Vayikra Rabbah 25, we find a fascina...

JosephProphecyHoly LandEgypt