Parshat Bo

2,086 related texts · Page 29 of 44

The final three plagues including the death of the firstborn, the first Passover, and the Exodus from Egypt. Exodus 10:1-13:16.

Do Our Opinions of Judges Have Divine Consequences

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 31:8

One minute someone is a hero, the next... well, not so much. It's human nature. But what about those in positions of authority, like judges? Do our shifting opinions of them have c...

Hell/GehennaMosesHoly LandEgypt

The Newborn Animal Must Stay Seven Days With Its Mother

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 31:9

In this week's exploration, we turn to Shemot Rabbah 31, a beautiful midrash (rabbinic interpretation) on a seemingly simple verse in Exodus, to unpack this very idea. The verse in...

MosesProphecyHoly LandEgypt

How We Treat the Poor Reveals Who We Are

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 31:13

Jewish tradition has a powerful answer to that feeling, and it all revolves around how we treat the poor and vulnerable among us. In Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic homilie...

Adam & EveMosesKing DavidSolomon

God Humbles One and Elevates Another Like a Wheel

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 31:14

Sometimes you're on top, sometimes you're on the bottom. It's a powerful image, and one that resonates deeply in Jewish tradition. Shemot Rabbah, a classic collection of Midrash (r...

MosesKing DavidSolomonJob

You Shall Not Be as a Creditor to Him

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 31:15

It’s all about how we interact, how we support each other, and what happens when that balance is disrupted. Consider this: the Shemot Rabbah, a classic collection of Rabbinic comme...

CreationMosesKing DavidSolomon

Korah in Paradise

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 31:16

It's not just about power, but about the very fabric of society and our relationship with the Divine. The book of Exodus, specifically 22:27, lays down a firm rule: "You shall not ...

Adam & EveJosephMosesSolomon

Cain and the Greed That Rushes After Wealth

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 31:17

Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic homilies on the Book of Exodus, dives deep into this idea, using the verse "If you lend money to My people" (Exodus 22:24) as a springboard ...

CreationHeavenAdam & EveNoah & Flood

How the Golden Calf Changed Everything for Israel

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 32:1

Jewish tradition is filled with these "what ifs," these pivot points where history teetered. Take the story of the Golden Calf. According to Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic...

CreationHell/GehennaAngelsAdam & Eve

God Sends an Angel After Israel's Betrayal

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 32:2

In Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, we find a fascinating exploration of this very question. It begins with a verse: "Behold, I am sen...

CreationAngelsPatriarchsJoseph

Moses Pleads With God After the Golden Calf

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 32:3

Our story begins after the devastating sin of the Golden Calf. Can you imagine the scene? Moses is up on Mount Sinai, receiving the very word of God, while down below, the Israelit...

AngelsMosesPrayerRepentance

The Angel Whose Name Is in Him Cannot Pardon

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 32:4

These questions bubble to the surface when we delve into a fascinating passage from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Exodus. It centers on a v...

HeavenAngelsMosesPrayer

One Good Deed Earns You a Guardian Angel

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 32:6

It hinges on the verse, "Behold, I am sending an angel before you" (Exodus 23:20). But it doesn't stop there. It connects it beautifully with a passage from Psalms: "The angel of t...

AngelsMosesKing DavidEgypt

God Reconciles Mercy and Justice for Israel's Sake

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 32:7

It’s a question that takes us to the heart of Jewish thought, and to a fascinating passage in Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus. The pas...

CreationHeavenAngelsPatriarchs

God Almost Destroyed Israel for the Golden Calf

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 32:8

It happened. And the story, found in Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, is It all starts after the Golden Calf incident. Moses, understa...

AngelsJosephMosesSolomon

Divine Presence of Isaac

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 32:9

The Jewish tradition is rich with stories of angels, not just as winged figures, but as manifestations of the Divine Presence itself. And their role? To safeguard and redeem. to on...

CreationHeavenAngelsPatriarchs

Take Me as a Gift - Torah as God's Own Presence

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 33:1

It all starts with the verse, "Speak to the children of Israel, and they shall take Me a gift; from every man whose heart pledges, you shall collect My gift" (Exodus 25:2). But ins...

MosesKing DavidSolomonTorah

Moses Ascended Sinai and Took Torah as Captive Gift

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 33:2

Our story begins with the verse, "They shall take Me a gift" (Exodus 25:2). But where does this gift come from? Shemot Rabbah dives into this, connecting it to a verse in Psalms: "...

MosesKing DavidTorahPrayer

Rod and Serpent of Songs

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 33:3

The congregation of Israel itself has felt that way! Our passage opens with a fascinating connection between the verse "They shall take Me a gift" (Exodus 25:2), which refers to th...

MosesKing DavidSolomonTemple

Yours O Lord Is the Greatness and the Might

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 33:4

The ancient rabbis grappled with this, and in Shemot Rabbah (that's the Book of Exodus explained and expanded upon by the Rabbis) we find a fascinating exploration of this very ide...

CreationHeavenAngelsPatriarchs

All 613 Commandments Given Through Moses

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 33:7

It’s a question that has captivated scholars and everyday folks for centuries. Where did they all come from? The Book of Deuteronomy (33:4) tells us, "Moses commanded us the Torah....

MosesSolomonTorahTemple

Why the Ark of the Covenant Was Made of Acacia Wood

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 34:1

It’s a question that's plagued philosophers and theologians for centuries, and it all starts, strangely enough, with a box. A very special box, mind you – the Ark of the Covenant. ...

HeavenNoah & FloodMosesKing David

Build Me a Sanctuary and I Will Dwell Among You

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 34:2

The answer, according to our Sages, might surprise you. In Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Exodus, we find a fascinating discussion about the Ark, ...

CreationNoah & FloodMosesSolomon

Building a Dwelling Place for the Divine Presence on Earth

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 34:3

And it all starts with this idea of building a home – not just for ourselves, but for the Divine. We find this idea beautifully illustrated in Shemot Rabbah, a compilation of rabbi...

Noah & FloodMosesKing DavidSolomon

Enosh and Creation of Eden

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 35:1

Jewish tradition certainly has. to a fascinating passage from Shemot Rabbah, a compilation of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, that explores just that. The text open...

CreationHeavenAdam & EveNoah & Flood

Moses and the Holy Sanctuary of Betzalel

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 35:3

It's more than just readily available lumber in the desert. According to Shemot Rabbah, it’s a lesson in mindful living, a gentle nudge towards respecting the natural world. Imagin...

MosesTempleWisdomEgypt

Edom Among the Fathers

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 35:5

It wasn't just about aesthetics or availability. According to Shemot Rabbah, it was a symbolic statement about history, power, and ultimately, redemption. We read in (Exodus 25:3),...

PatriarchsJosephMosesKing David

Moses and the Heavenly Realms and the Tabernacle

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 35:6

The ancient rabbis certainly understood that feeling. a fascinating Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary) that speaks directly to that sense of inadequacy, and how we can over...

HeavenAngelsMosesTemple

Temple and the Dreamer of Songs

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 36:1

It's more than just a source of delicious oil; it's a metaphor for the Jewish people themselves. to a fascinating passage from Shemot Rabbah 36 and unpack its rich layers of meanin...

JosephMosesKing DavidSolomon

Aaron and His Sons Chosen to Lead Israel in Service

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 37:1

We find a powerful idea tucked within Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus. It centers around the verse: "And you, draw Aaron your brother ...

CreationJosephMosesKing David

Moses and David of From

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 37:4

In Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, we find a fascinating exchange. God tells Moses, "And you, draw near to you." Now, Moses isn't exa...

MosesKing DavidJobTorah

Aaron at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 38:1

Shemot Rabbah, that incredible collection of Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary)im (interpretive stories) on the Book of Exodus, offers a fascinating insight into just this ...

CreationNoah & FloodMosesKing David

The Secret Power Hidden in Prayer and Repentance

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 38:5

The ancient rabbis, plumbing the depths of the Torah, had a different take, and it’s one that resonates even today. We find a fascinating discussion in Shemot Rabbah, a collection ...

CreationAdam & EveMosesSolomon

Abraham and the Word That Created Everything

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 38:6

In Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, we find a fascinating exploration of this very idea. The verse "This is the matter [hadavar]" (Exo...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsJoseph

Why Aaron Was Called Holy Among All the Priests

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 38:7

It’s a fascinating subject, and one that the ancient Rabbis pondered deeply. In fact, Shemot Rabbah, a classic collection of Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary)ic interpreta...

MosesKing DavidTempleProphecy

Abraham and the Patriarchs of Jacob

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 38:9

We often think of it as just a structure, but according to Jewish tradition, every single element, every color, every placement, held profound meaning. Take the Hoshen, the breastp...

PatriarchsJosephMosesEgypt

Betzalel's Transgression and the Tabernacle

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 40:1

This week, we're diving into a fascinating passage from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Exodus. It all starts with God choosing Betzalel to b...

CreationAdam & EveMosesJob

How Betzalel Got His Name and His Divine Wisdom

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 40:2

It centers around Betzalel, the incredibly skilled artisan chosen to build the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that accompanied the Israelites in the desert. The To...

CreationAdam & EveMosesTemple

Betzalel at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 40:3

In Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, we find a fascinating passage that hints at just that. It starts with the verse, "See, I have call...

CreationAdam & EvePatriarchsJoseph

Avin — Abraham at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 41:2

It's more than just handing something over. It's like tossing a pebble into a pond, the ripples go far beyond what you can see. Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretati...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsMoses

Where Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding Come From

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 41:3

The Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, delves into this very idea. It centers around the verse in (Proverbs 2:6), "For the Lord grants w...

MosesKing DavidSolomonTorah

God's Humility in Partnering With Mere Mortals

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 41:4

We often think of God as all-powerful, distant, maybe even a little intimidating. But what if I told you that Jewish tradition also emphasizes God's incredible humility? Shemot Rab...

CreationPatriarchsMosesKing David

Go Down for Your People Have Acted Corruptly

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 42:1

The book of Exodus and the sages of the Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary) explore this very idea. In (Exodus 32:7), we read, "The Lord spoke to Moses: Go descend; for your...

CreationHell/GehennaAngelsAdam & Eve

What Happened in Heaven During the Golden Calf

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 42:2

We all know the story: Moses ascends Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, and the Israelites, impatient and fearful, build a golden idol. But what happens behind the scenes, in the he...

CreationPatriarchsMosesEgypt

Israel Blamed Unfairly for the Sin of the Mixed Multitude

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 42:3

That feeling, that sense of unfair ostracism, resonates deeply within a fascinating interpretation of the Torah portion Ki Tissa in Shemot Rabbah (Exodus Rabbah). We often read the...

CreationJosephMosesKing David

God's Wrath After the Golden Calf Explained

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 42:4

Our story comes from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Exodus. It’s a powerful midrash, a deep dive into the nuances of the text, uncovering la...

AngelsMosesJobTorah

How Quickly Israel Turned Aside After Sinai

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 42:5

This passage grapples with the aftermath of the Golden Calf. Moses is up on Mount Sinai, receiving the Torah, while the Israelites down below are, well, not exactly holding the fai...

CreationHeavenJosephMoses

Moses the Advocate Defends the Indefensible

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 42:6

Our tradition wrestles with that very feeling in the story of the Golden Calf. Imagine the scene: Moses is up on Mount Sinai, receiving the Torah, the very blueprint for a just and...

JosephMosesKing DavidRepentance

How Fast Israel Strayed From God's Commandments

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 42:7

That, in a nutshell, is the tragedy of the Golden Calf. But how quickly did things really fall apart after the revelation at Sinai? The rabbis of the Midrash (rabbinic interpretive...

CreationPatriarchsMosesProphecy