Parshat Vayishlach

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Jacob wrestles with the angel, his reunion with Esau, the incident at Shechem, Rachel's death, and the genealogy of Esau. Genesis 32:4-36:43.

Jacob's Transgression and Mishna

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 81:3

The verse we're focusing on is from Genesis 35:2: "Jacob said to his household, and to all who were with him: Remove the foreign gods that are in your midst, and purify yourselves,...

CreationCreaturesPatriarchsPrayer

Jacob: Elijah and the Patriarchs

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 82:5

One fascinating passage in Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis, dives right into this thorny issue. Specifically, it tackles Jacob's bl...

PatriarchsElijahTempleRepentance

Divine Chariot and Jacob

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 82:6

Our ancestors did. Genesis 35:13 tells us, "God ascended from upon him, in the place where He had spoken with him." It’s a simple sentence, but it opens a window into a profound id...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsMysticism

Birth of Esau and Oholivama

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 82:12

Take Esau, for example. Genesis 36:5 tells us, "Oholivama bore Yeush, and Yalam, and Koraḥ; these are the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan." Seems straightf...

CreationPatriarchsTorahProphecy

Jacob and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 91:1

Jacob, seeing a famine in the land, tells his sons, "Why do you make yourselves conspicuous?" (Genesis 42:1). Simple enough. But the rabbis of the Midrash, particularly in Bereshit...

CreationPatriarchsJosephKing David

Jacob and Creation of Egypt

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 91:2

The story begins with Jacob observing his sons. "Why do you make yourselves conspicuous?" he asks them. But what exactly did he mean? According to this Midrash, Jacob wasn't just w...

CreationPatriarchsJosephEgypt

Jacob: Joseph at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 91:9

It's a deep dive into the story of Jacob's sons and their trip to Egypt, and it's full of anxiety, suspicion, and loss. The passage begins with a recap from Genesis 42. Joseph, now...

CreationPatriarchsJosephJob

Death of Levi and Egypt

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 92:2

The ancient rabbis pondered this very question. In Bereshit Rabbah 92, a collection of rabbinic homilies on the Book of Genesis, we find a fascinating glimpse into the last words, ...

PatriarchsJosephKing DavidSoul

Trial of Benjamin

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 92:8

We're diving into Genesis 44, where Joseph, now a powerful figure in Egypt, is testing his brothers. Remember the setup? Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt seeking food during a famin...

CreationPatriarchsMatriarchsJoseph