Parshat Vayakhel

453 related texts · Page 40 of 51

The people bring offerings for the Tabernacle, Bezalel and the craftsmen begin construction. Exodus 35:1-38:20.

Rabbi Akiva and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 21:25

It's not about being stingy, but about creating a sense of progression, a journey. Believe it or not, we find a hint of this idea in the book of Bamidbar Rabbah, specifically in se...

CreationMosesKing DavidTorah

Jacob: Abraham and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 11:7

to a fascinating comparison between Abraham and Jacob, two of our patriarchs, and see what Bereshit Rabbah 11 has to tell us. The key? Shabbat. Yes, that's right, the Sabbath. Rabb...

CreationPatriarchsSabbathShabbat

Satan and Creation of Garden

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 17:6

Take, for example, the verse in Genesis 2:21, "He took one of his sides [mitzalotav]..." Now, mitzalotav can mean either "one of his ribs" or "one of his sides." So, which was it? ...

CreationDemonsAdam & EveMoses

Noah's Prophetic Vision and Shabbat

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 29:2

Jewish tradition is full of stories about individuals who stood out, who were exceptional even when surrounded by… well, less exceptional company. Rabbi Simon starts us off with a ...

Noah & FloodProphecyPrayerSabbath

Abraham and Creation of Ezra

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 46:8

The Torah tells us in Genesis 17:5, "Your name will no longer be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations." Seems prett...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsTorah

The Binding of Isaac and Shem

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 56:10

Names hold power, history, and sometimes, the very essence of a place. Take Jerusalem, for example. Its story, according to the ancient Rabbis, is far more intricate than you might...

CreationPatriarchsKing DavidTemple

Jacob: Elijah and the Patriarchs

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 82:5

One fascinating passage in Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis, dives right into this thorny issue. Specifically, it tackles Jacob's bl...

PatriarchsElijahTempleRepentance

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

Animals Two by Two and Shabbat

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 3:1

Take this passage from Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy. It all starts with a verse: "It will be, because you heed these ordinances, an...

Noah & FloodMosesKing DavidTorah