Parshat Yitro

861 related texts · Page 82 of 96

Jethro visits Moses, the revelation at Mount Sinai, and the giving of the Ten Commandments. Exodus 18:1-20:23.

Abraham's Offering and Levi

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 48:5

It all starts with a verse from Exodus, "You shall make for Me an altar of earth…[I will come to you and I will bless you]" (Exodus 20:21). Rabbi Yitzḥak takes this to heart. He im...

PatriarchsMosesTempleEgypt

Abraham and the Angels of Sodom

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 50:7

The story, of course, is from Genesis 19:9. Lot, Abraham's nephew, has welcomed two angelic guests into his home. The men of Sodom, consumed by lust and cruelty, surround the house...

CreationPatriarchsTorahJudgment

Abraham's Offering and Yudan

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 56:9

We know the story: God commands Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. Abraham, unflinchingly faithful, prepares to follow through. But at the last moment, an angel intervene...

CreationPatriarchsDanielTemple

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

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

Kingdom of Moses of Israelites

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 1:5

The text presents a fascinating idea: that the speaker's life and experience lend weight to their words. It's not just what you say, but who you are that matters. Imagine someone e...

CreationMosesKing DavidSolomon

Reish Lakish and Creation of Rabbis

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 1:10

The verse we're looking at is from Deuteronomy 1:11: "May the Lord, God of your fathers, add to you one thousand times as you are, and He will bless you, as He spoke to you." Sound...

CreationAdam & EveMosesSolomon

Adam and Creation of Elohim

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 2:25

Devarim Rabbah, in its unique way, uses a verse from Deuteronomy as a springboard to delve into just that. The verse in question is Deuteronomy 4:39: "You shall know this day and r...

CreationHeavenAdam & EveJoseph

Rabbi Meir and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 2:28

It all starts with the verse from Deuteronomy, "You shall know this day, and restore to your heart" (Deuteronomy 4:39). Rabbi Meir interprets this in a fascinating way. He suggests...

CreationHeavenMosesSolomon