Parshat Vayelech

798 related texts · Page 26 of 89

Moses's final day, the commandment of Hakhel (public Torah reading), and the prediction of Israel's future rebellion. Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30.

Righteousness of Abraham and Joshua

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 49:8

What does it mean to approach God? That's precisely what the Rabbis grapple with in Bereshit Rabbah 49. The text opens with that powerful line from Genesis, "Abraham approached, an...

CreationHell/GehennaNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Jacob's Song and Isaac

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 79:4

His story, as told in Bereshit Rabbah (the great commentary on Genesis), is a masterclass in turning sorrow into joy, sowing in tears and reaping with songs. The verse says, "Jacob...

CreationPatriarchsKing David

Joseph's Vision and Joshua

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 84:11

We're talking about Joseph, remember him? The favorite son with the technicolor dreamcoat? He had a knack for dreaming... and maybe not such a great knack for keeping those dreams ...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsJoseph

Songs of David and Blessings

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 3:5

It's like a subtle wink, inviting us to dig deeper and uncover hidden connections. Take this verse from Deuteronomy (7:13): "He will love you, bless you, and multiply you; He will ...

King DavidSolomonRepentanceCovenant

Songs of the Angels and Abba

Midrash Rabbah Kohelet Rabbah 2:2

Kohelet Rabbah, a fascinating collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Ecclesiastes, dives into this very idea, particularly when it comes to life, death, and the mome...

AngelsSolomonProphecyPrayer

Songs of David and Yudan

Midrash Rabbah Kohelet Rabbah 14:1

One minute you're basking in sunshine, the next you're caught in a downpour. How do we navigate those wild swings of fortune? Well, the book of Ecclesiastes, or Kohelet as it’s kno...

Hell/GehennaKing DavidSolomonJob

Songs of David and Israelites

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 20:18

Jewish tradition teaches us that this feeling might be more than just a lucky coincidence. It might be the very presence of the Divine. Shemot Rabbah, a classic compilation of rabb...

JosephKing DavidMessiahHoly Land

Rebecca's Song

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 2:1

The ancient rabbis certainly did. They found answers, as they often did, in the beautiful poetry of the Song of Songs, or Shir HaShirim. Specifically, the verse, "Like a lily among...

CreationPatriarchsSolomon

Merit of the Fathers and Songs

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 4:5

Now, Song of Songs is already pretty heady stuff – love, longing, metaphor piled upon metaphor. But the Rabbah, the commentary, takes it to a whole new level, interpreting the poem...

CreationPatriarchsKing DavidSolomon