Parshat Vayigash

2,911 related texts · Page 82 of 324

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

Esau: Jacob and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 78:7

It’s a pretty universal experience, and it seems even Jacob, one of our patriarchs, felt it too. Our story begins with Jacob's reunion with his brother, Esau, after many years of s...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchs

Esau: Wisdom of Jacob

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 78:11

to a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of Jacob's reunion with his brother Esau, years after their fraught parting. The story, as told in Bereshit Rabbah 78, isn't just about b...

CreationAngelsPatriarchs

Romans: Jacob at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 78:15

Take the encounter between Jacob and Esau after their long separation. Genesis 33:15 tells us, "Esau said to him: Please, I will place with you some of the people who are with me. ...

CreationPatriarchs

Death of Jacob and Deborah

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 81:5

The Torah, in its concise way, captures this very human experience. We find ourselves in Genesis, Chapter 35. Jacob is returning home, a journey laden with its own emotional baggag...

CreationPatriarchsPrayerDeath

Jacob's Transgression and Avner

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 82:4

We find ourselves doing just that in this week's story, wrestling with an ancient blessing and its surprising recipients. Our tale begins with God speaking to Jacob, saying, "I am ...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsKing David

Death of Benjamin and Rachel

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 82:9

They often hold a world of meaning, a glimpse into the hopes and fears of the parents. Take Rachel, for example, and the birth of her son. The Torah tells us, in Genesis 35:18, "It...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsKing David

Joseph's Journey and Dotan

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 84:14

The Torah, and the Rabbis, have some thoughts on that. to a fascinating little piece from Bereshit Rabbah 84, a midrash (exegetical interpretation) on the Book of Genesis. It all c...

CreationJosephProphecyPrayer

Jacob: Reuben at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 84:15

We all know the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. But what about Reuben? What role did he play in this dramatic saga? Genesis ...

CreationJoseph

Joseph and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 84:18

Take the story of Joseph, sold into slavery by his own brothers. We all know the story. Jealousy, betrayal, a coat of many colors… but what about the aftermath? Genesis 37:28 tells...

CreationHell/GehennaMatriarchsJoseph