Parshat Vayechi

2,039 related texts · Page 186 of 227

Jacob blesses his sons and grandsons with prophetic blessings, Jacob's death and burial, and Joseph's final years. Genesis 47:28-50:26.

Esau: Isaac's Transgression

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 67:2

The story of Isaac blessing Jacob instead of Esau is one that resonates with that feeling, and the Rabbis of the Midrash grappled with it intensely. What was going on in Isaac’s mi...

CreationAngelsPatriarchsSolomon

Esau's Prayer

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 67:4

Our story hinges on a moment of profound anguish: "When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out, a very great and bitter cry, and he said to his father: Bless me too, my f...

CreationPatriarchsEstherTorah

Yitz: Rebecca at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 67:9

Specifically, we’re going to zoom in on a moment of high tension, guided by the insights of Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis...

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Birth of Rebecca

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 67:10

Take the story of Jacob and Esau, a tale filled with sibling rivalry, deception, and a mother's desperate attempt to protect her son. When Rebecca realizes the danger Jacob is in a...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchs

Isaac: Rebecca at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 67:11

The kind that makes you want to throw your hands up and say, "Enough!" Well, pull up a chair, because the story of Rebecca and Isaac, and the mess with Esau's wives, takes family d...

CreationPatriarchs

Leah: Laban at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 70:15

We often think of the big players – kings, prophets, warriors – as isolated figures. But Jewish tradition reminds us that even the mightiest oak grows from the smallest acorn, and ...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsJoseph

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

Leah's Journey

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 71:3

Our journey begins with Leah, one of the matriarchs of the Jewish people. Genesis 29:32 tells us, "Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; she said: Because ...

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Leah: Rachel and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 71:6

The Torah tells us, "Rachel saw that she did not bear children for Jacob; Rachel envied her sister and she said to Jacob: Give me children, and if not, I am dead" (Genesis 30:1). B...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsJoseph