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.

Ishmael in Exile

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 53:11

The Torah tells us Sarah saw Ishmael "playing" (Genesis 21:9), and it was enough for her to demand, in no uncertain terms, that Hagar and Ishmael be banished. But what exactly did ...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsMoses

Abraham and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 59:5

It might sound surprising, but the ancient Rabbis certainly thought so! The Midrash, specifically Bereshit Rabbah 59, delves into a fascinating interpretation of Psalm 45:3, "You a...

CreationPatriarchsMosesKing David

World to Come and David

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 59:6

The Torah tells us that Abraham was old, zaken (Genesis 24:1). But the rabbis in Bereshit Rabbah 59 ask, what does that really signify? The rabbis dig deep, finding layers of meani...

PatriarchsMosesKing DavidSolomon

Rebecca: Laban at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 60:7

The story begins with Rebecca, who, upon meeting Eliezer at the well, "ran and told her mother’s household all about these matters" (Genesis 24:28). Now, Rabbi Yoḥanan makes an int...

CreationNoah & FloodPatriarchsMatriarchs

Esau: Rebecca at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 63:6

The verse in Genesis 25:22 tells us "The children were agitated within her, and she said: If this is so, why do I exist? She went to inquire of the Lord." But what exactly does "ag...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsMatriarchs

Sarah: Rebecca and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 63:7

In Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of Genesis, specifically in section 63, we find a discussion around the verse, "The Lord said to her" (Genesis 25:23), ...

CreationAngelsNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Foundations of Being and Esau

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 63:8

Take the birth of Jacob and Esau, for example. Seems straightforward. But Bereshit Rabbah, the ancient rabbinic commentary on Genesis, dives deep, revealing layers of interpretatio...

CreationHeavenDemonsPatriarchs

Birth of Esau and Sage

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 63:10

Our story today comes from Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Genesis. Specifically, we're looking at section 63, which delves into the lives ...

CreationHell/GehennaPatriarchsProphecy

Esau: Abraham and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 63:11

It all boils down to a pot of stew. Genesis 25:29 tells us, "Jacob cooked a stew, and Esau came from the field and he was weary." Simple enough. But within that weariness, and with...

CreationAdam & EveNoah & FloodPatriarchs