Parshat Vayera

2,711 related texts · Page 281 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.

Noah and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 17:5

After all, it's not exactly a flattering name given Canaan's, shall we say, complicated backstory. Vayikra Rabbah, a fascinating collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Lev...

CreationNoah & FloodPatriarchsMoses

Samael Among the Heavenly Host

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 21:4

Like someone's pointing out all your flaws, comparing you to others, and generally making you feel... unworthy? Well, according to some ancient Jewish texts, even the Israelites fa...

AngelsAdam & EveMosesKing David

Rosh Hashanah and the Heavenly Realms

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 29:4

We find a surprisingly intimate answer tucked away in Vayikra Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic homilies on the Book of Leviticus. Rabbi Yoshiya starts us off with a verse from Psal...

HeavenAngelsKing DavidHolidays

Divine Presence

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 31:9

We know the science, the orbits, the rotations... But what about the story behind it all? What's the cosmic drama unfolding behind the scenes of our everyday sunrise and sunset? We...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsMatriarchs

Jacob and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 35:2

The Vayikra Rabbah, a fascinating midrashic collection on the Book of Leviticus, explores this very idea. It opens with the verse "If you follow My statutes" (Leviticus 26:3) and c...

CreationPatriarchsKing DavidSolomon

Adam and the Patriarchs

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 1:4

And, believe it or not, the Book of Psalms, or Tehillim in Hebrew, tackles this very idea! Our journey begins with Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the...

Adam & EvePatriarchsMosesKing David

Gog and the Patriarchs

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 8:6

Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Psalms, offers a fascinating glimpse into this very idea, particularly in its eighth section. Our journey ...

PatriarchsProphecyHoly LandJudgment

Fire of Elijah

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 10:8

It’s a question that’s plagued humanity for ages, and Midrash Tehillim 10 grapples with it in a way that’s both challenging and ultimately hopeful. The midrash, that ancient form o...

PatriarchsElijahDanielTemple

Wisdom of Nabal

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 14:4

Take Nabal, from the Book of Samuel. His name alone, seemingly simple, becomes a window into understanding his nature. But what does Nabal mean? Midrash Tehillim, a collection of i...

PatriarchsSolomonProphecyHoly Land