Parshat Vayigash

2,872 related texts · Page 210 of 320

Judah's plea for Benjamin, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, and Jacob's family descends to Egypt. Genesis 44:18-47:27.

Israelites: Pharaoh in the Days of Moses

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 20:9

The sages of the Midrash felt that way about Pharaoh letting the Israelites go. It wasn't just a political decision; it was a colossal blunder, a spiritual miscalculation of epic p...

MosesSolomonHoly LandEgypt

Pharaoh: Haman and the Angels

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 20:10

Our story begins with the verse, "It was when Pharaoh let the people go..." (Exodus). But it's not just a simple statement. It's an invitation to reflect on the sheer audacity of G...

AngelsMosesKing DavidDaniel

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

Moses's Prayer and Esau

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 21:1

The Israelites are trapped. The sea is before them, Pharaoh's army is closing in from behind. Panic is in the air. They cry out to God, as we read in Exodus 14:10: "The children of...

CreationPatriarchsMosesKing David

Moses and the Promised Land of Egyptians

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 21:9

The scene unfolds like this: the Israelites are trapped between the pursuing Egyptian army and the seemingly insurmountable Red Sea. Moses, holding his staff, is their leader, thei...

MosesHoly LandEgypt

Moses's Transgression

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:7

The story begins, as we all know, with the parting of the Red Sea. A moment of unimaginable salvation for the Israelites, fleeing slavery in Egypt. Moses leads the people, and as t...

JosephMosesKing DavidProphecy

Heavenly Messengers and Pharaoh

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:14

It all starts with the verse, "For He is exalted." The Rabbis ask, what does that truly mean? Rabbi Pappos offers a beautiful and subtle reading of the verse from Song of Songs 1:9...

AngelsMosesKing DavidSolomon

Amalek in Battle and Joshua

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 26:3

Take the story of the war against Amalek in Exodus 17:9. Moses tells Joshua, "Choose men for us and go out and wage war with Amalek; tomorrow I will be standing on top of the hill ...

CreationJosephMosesRepentance

Aquila and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 30:12

It’s a question that's been asked for centuries. And Shemot Rabbah, a treasure trove of rabbinic commentary on the Book of Exodus, gives us a glimpse into a fascinating answer. The...

CreationPatriarchsKing DavidTorah