Parshat Vayera

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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.

Yudan: Esau at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 15:3

In Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Song of Songs, we find a fascinating discussion about these pesky creatures and what they represent. Rabbi ...

CreationNoah & FloodPatriarchsKing David

Beitar and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 17:1

The verse in question is Song of Songs 2:17: "Until the day is great and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a fawn on the cleft mountains.” Now, on the su...

CreationHell/GehennaNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Divine Presence at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:1

The Rabbis, in their infinite wisdom, saw layers upon layers of meaning in these words. The phrase “I came to my garden” is especially rich. Rabbi Menaḥem, son-in-law of Rabbi Elaz...

CreationHeavenAdam & EveNoah & Flood

Sarai's Prayer

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 11:4

It's more than just letters; it's a tapestry woven with meaning, with whispers of divine intention. Take the story of the letter yod, that smallest of Hebrew letters, shaped like a...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsMoses

Covenant of Circumcision

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 2:3

Today, we're diving into Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the commentary on the Song of Songs, and unpacking just such a verse. Get ready for a journey through noble lineage, the power of bri...

Noah & FloodPatriarchsMosesKing David

Transmigration of Souls and Shema

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 12:2

to a passage from Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Song of Songs, that touches on this very idea. It centers around the verse, "the one who dwe...

AngelsSoulPrayerHoly Land

Antoninus in Heaven

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 3:2

We start with the verse, "When a person presents a meal offering to the Lord" (Leviticus 2:1). But the Rabbis cleverly link this to Psalm 22:24: "Those who fear the Lord, praise Hi...

HeavenPatriarchsKing DavidMessiah

Akhan and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 9:1

The Torah portion of Vayikra (Leviticus) dives deep into the intricate world of offerings, and Vayikra Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of Leviticus, sheds light on...

CreationAdam & EvePatriarchsJoseph

Wisdom of Rabbi Yanai

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 9:3

It happens. But sometimes those moments can teach us something profound about ourselves and the world. Let me tell you a story from Vayikra Rabbah that really hit home for me. It s...

CreationPatriarchsMosesKing David