Parshat Vayera

2,711 related texts · Page 134 of 302

Three angels visit Abraham, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the birth of Isaac, and the Binding of Isaac (the Akedah). Genesis 18:1-22:24.

Abraham: Adam at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 2:10

It’s a question that has puzzled scholars and storytellers for centuries. The Vayikra Rabbah, a Midrashic text focusing on the Book of Leviticus, tackles this very question. It beg...

CreationAdam & EveNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Abraham and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 11:5

It’s a powerful idea, and it’s one that our sages explored deeply. There's a fascinating passage in Vayikra Rabbah 11 that tackles just this – the idea that God interacts with us i...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsMoses

Abraham and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 14:2

Vayikra Rabbah, a collection of Midrashic interpretations on the book of Leviticus, dives deep into this very topic, using the verse "when a woman conceives" as a springboard to ex...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsMoses

Halls of the Angels and Aivu

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 23:5

And believe it or not, there's an ancient teaching that uses a similar image to describe the Jewish people's relationship with… well, pretty much everything. It all starts with a l...

HeavenPatriarchsKing DavidMessiah

Malkitzedek: Abraham at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 25:6

It's more than just a ritual. It touches on themes of covenant, perfection, and even the very nature of blessing. to a fascinating passage from Vayikra Rabbah, a Midrashic text fil...

CreationHeavenNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Land: Abraham at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 28:6

We often overlook the seemingly insignificant, but Jewish tradition teaches us that profound blessings can reside even there. Take, for instance, the omer offering. What exactly is...

CreationHell/GehennaNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Levi: Abraham and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 29:7

Yes, you read that right. A cattle prod. Believe it or not, the ancient rabbis found deep spiritual meaning even in the mundane tools of everyday life. In Vayikra Rabbah, a collect...

CreationPatriarchsProphecyWisdom

Joseph: Abraham at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 30:10

Take, for instance, the four species we use on Sukkot – the etrog (citron), the lulav (date palm frond), the hadass (myrtle), and the aravah (willow). They aren't just random plant...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsJoseph

David and the Angels and Curses

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 32:2

This isn't just about political correctness; it's about the power of our words, our thoughts, and their ripple effects in the cosmos. Rabbi Avin kicks things off with a powerful id...

AngelsMosesKing DavidSolomon