Parshat Vayechi

2,039 related texts · Page 32 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.

Jacob: Mount Sinai and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 13:8

The Torah portion Naso, particularly in Bamidbar Rabbah 13, delves into this very concept, using the offerings of the princes as a springboard. It's a fascinating exploration of Is...

CreationAdam & EvePatriarchsJoseph

Abraham Isaac and Jacob of Chodesh

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 6:3

Take the creation story in Genesis, for example. We read in Genesis 1:16 that God made "two great lights" – the sun and the moon – to rule the day and the night. Seems straightforw...

CreationPatriarchsTorahMessiah

Adam: Levi and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 18:2

It's not just some offhand detail in the Book of Genesis. Our sages saw a universe of intention packed into that single act of creation. The Midrash, specifically Bereshit Rabbah, ...

CreationAdam & EvePatriarchsMatriarchs

Kingdom of Abram and Jacob

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 44:3

It's like a song with a recurring chorus, reminding us of something vital. Let's look at one of those refrains, the reassurance "Fear not, Abram," and see what echoes it holds. The...

CreationPatriarchsProphecyHoly Land

Abraham's Transgression and Levi

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 44:12

It all starts with God promising Abraham countless descendants: "Look now to the heavens, and count the stars, if you can count them… So will your offspring be." But it's the phras...

CreationHell/GehennaPatriarchsKing David

Jacob: Nimrod and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 63:13

We often hear it as a simple transaction: Esau was hungry, Jacob offered food in exchange for the birthright, end of story. But, as always, the Rabbis see layers upon layers, depth...

CreationAdam & EvePatriarchsMoses

Jacob: Abraham and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 65:9

But what if these weren’t just random occurrences? What if they were, in a way, requested? Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa opens a fascinating door into this idea, stating, "Much, Lord my G...

CreationPatriarchsJosephKing David

Jacob's Transgression and Abraham

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 65:19

That's the tightrope Jacob walked in the famous episode where he deceives his father, Isaac, to steal the blessing meant for his brother, Esau. The story, as we find it in Genesis ...

CreationPatriarchsProphecyPrayer

Jacob's Transgression and Amalek

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 65:20

The Torah, in its infinite wisdom, actually speaks to this very feeling, using one of the most iconic scenes in Genesis. Think about Jacob and Esau. The story unfolds in Genesis 27...

CreationPatriarchsMosesElijah