Parshat Vayigash

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

Abraham's Journey and Ezra

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 56:1

Jewish tradition is full of stories that remind us that sometimes, salvation comes on the third day. It’s a recurring motif, a whisper of hope that echoes through our texts. Think ...

CreationPatriarchsJosephMoses

Ishmael and Creation of Alexander

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 61:7

This story, found in Bereshit Rabbah 61, takes us right into the middle of just such a scene. The verse that sparks this whole episode is from Genesis 25:6: "But to the sons of the...

CreationHell/GehennaAdam & EvePatriarchs

Righteousness of Isaac

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 64:2

Jewish tradition certainly sees patterns in the past, especially when it comes to times of hardship. We find a fascinating example of this in Bereshit Rabbah 64, a collection of ra...

CreationAdam & EvePatriarchsJoseph

Isaac's Transgression and Behold

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 67:5

Take the tale of Isaac, Jacob, and Esau. We all know the basics: Jacob deceives his father, Isaac, and steals Esau's blessing. But what happens after? What was Isaac really thinkin...

CreationPatriarchsJosephTemple

Rabbi Abbahu and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 70:4

Specifically, Bereshit Rabbah 70 wrestles with a tricky part of Jacob's story. After his dream of the ladder, Jacob makes a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, and will keep me i...

CreationPatriarchsJosephSolomon

Leah: Laban at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 70:15

We often think of the big players – kings, prophets, warriors – as isolated figures. But Jewish tradition reminds us that even the mightiest oak grows from the smallest acorn, and ...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsJoseph

Leah and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 71:2

Jewish tradition offers comfort and hope in those moments. It reminds us that even in the depths of despair, we are noticed, and our fortunes can change. The verse in Psalms (145:1...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsJoseph

Leah: Rachel and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 71:6

The Torah tells us, "Rachel saw that she did not bear children for Jacob; Rachel envied her sister and she said to Jacob: Give me children, and if not, I am dead" (Genesis 30:1). B...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsJoseph

Abraham: Shekhem and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 79:7

Our ancestors felt it too. And the Rabbis, in their infinite wisdom, addressed it head-on. We find a fascinating discussion in Bereshit Rabbah, specifically section 79, sparked by ...

CreationPatriarchsJosephKing David