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.

Zion's Transgression

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 24:4

That’s the kind of feeling we're going to explore today, but with a very specific location in mind: Zion. We find a fascinating passage in Vayikra Rabbah, a midrashic collection fo...

MosesKing DavidTorahTemple

The Ten Commandments and Kedoshim

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 24:5

Rabbi Ḥiyya taught that this specific portion, Kedoshim, was delivered in a grand assembly – "Speak to the entire congregation of the children of Israel..." (Leviticus 19:2). Why? ...

Adam & EveMosesTorahSabbath

Kingdom of Moses and Gadol

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 24:7

It's not just about cleanliness, friends. It’s about something far deeper: our relationship with the Divine. Vayikra Rabbah, a fascinating collection of rabbinic interpretations on...

JosephMosesHoly LandEgypt

Moses and the Heavenly Realms of Hadrian

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 25:5

The book of Job asks, "Who set wisdom batuḥot?" (Job 38:36). The Midrash, specifically Vayikra Rabbah, explores this, asking, what even is batuḥot? The answer it gives is striking:...

HeavenMosesJobMiracles

Abraham in Joseph's Time

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 25:7

Sometimes, the answer lies in the most unexpected places, like, say, a close reading of the book of Ezekiel and a bit of ancient commentary. In Vayikra Rabbah 25, we find a fascina...

JosephProphecyHoly LandEgypt

Ezekiel's Transgression

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 27:3

A song, a smell, a place... and suddenly you're right back there, feeling the weight of it all over again. Jewish tradition is keenly aware of this power of association, and how ea...

HeavenJosephMosesTorah

Joseph the Dreamer and Hosea

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 27:8

It might seem random, but Jewish tradition offers a fascinating explanation, one rooted in rumor, reputation, and divine forgiveness. Our story begins with the prophet Hosea, who s...

JosephMosesProphecyHoly Land

Wisdom of Solomon

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 28:1

These questions, believe it or not, were being debated intensely by the ancient Rabbis, particularly in relation to the book of Ecclesiastes, or Kohelet, as it's known in Hebrew. L...

MosesSolomonTorahHoly Land

Rabbi Shimon and Solomon

Midrash Rabbah Vayikra Rabbah 28:2

He points out a simple truth: When we wash our clothes on a rainy day, we have to work so hard to dry them. But while we're sleeping soundly, the Holy One, blessed be He, sends a l...

SolomonTempleHoly Land