1,676 related texts · 3 related myths · Page 34 of 35
There's a fascinating passage in Shemot Rabbah that uses the moon as a metaphor to explain just that. It's a brilliant, poetic, and surprisingly practical way to look at history. "...
Jewish tradition teaches us that justice, true justice, is at the very heart of the Divine. And that the way we act in the world has cosmic repercussions. In Shemot Rabbah, a compi...
Get out as fast as possible! But (Exodus 13:17) tells us, "It was when Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them via the land of the Philistines, although it was near, as Go...
The Torah tells us, "God did not lead them [naḥam]..." (Exodus 13:17). The word naḥam here is key, often translated as "by way of" or "directly." So, what's the story behind this d...
The verse in (Exodus 14:22) tells us, "The children of Israel came into the midst of the sea upon dry ground; and the waters were a wall for them to their right, and to their left....
Rabbi Yehuda tells us that the Israelites reasoned, "The Holy One, blessed be He, only took us out of Egypt for five things!" What were those five things? First, to give us the plu...
We dole things out with a closed fist, hesitant, as if we're afraid of running out. But what about the Divine? Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book o...
It all centers around the Hebrew word ve’eleh, meaning "these are." The Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary) opens with a question: What's so special about ve’eleh? The Rabbi...
Shemot Rabbah, a treasure trove of interpretations on the Book of Exodus, brings us a powerful insight through a teaching connected to the verse, "These are the ordinances" (Exodus...
Our tradition teaches that wealth, valor, and wisdom are not inherently good or bad – it's how we use them that truly matters. Shemot Rabbah (31) explores this very question, drawi...
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...
Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, gives us a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes preparations for this monumental task. It a...
A very special box, – the Ark of the Covenant. The Torah tells us, "They shall craft an Ark of acacia wood: its length shall be two and a half cubits, and its width a cubit and a h...
Shemot Rabbah turns to How Aaron Reacted When Moses Smashed the Tablets. The scene: Moses is descending from Mount Sinai, clutching the tablets of the law. He sees the Israelites r...
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 ...
It sounds strange, but Jewish tradition explores the idea that certain special figures in our history were known by multiple names, each reflecting a different facet of their chara...
Our story comes from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus. It centers on a seemingly simple verse: “The Tabernacle of the Testimony, as the...
The ancient rabbis certainly did. They explored every facet of joy, dissecting its many shades and flavors. And in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the commentary on the Song of Songs, they g...
We see it everywhere, from synagogue art to holiday decorations. But have you ever stopped to consider why? Well, the source enters a fascinating passage from Shir HaShirim Rabbah ...
They saw echoes of that very struggle in the beautiful, often enigmatic, Song of Songs – Shir HaShirim in Hebrew. Specifically, they found a powerful metaphor in the verse, "For, b...
The verse Now, Rabbi Azarya raises a pretty good question: Isn't "speaking" the same as "saying?" What’s the difference? His answer? God answered [ana] through Moses, and said [ve’...
That’s kind of what happens when we dive into Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the commentary on the Song of Songs. a passage that takes the beautiful imagery of springtime and transforms it ...
Jewish tradition often interprets it allegorically, finding layers of meaning beneath the surface. And sometimes, those layers lead us to some truly fascinating places. Take this v...
We start with a verse: “Emerge, daughters of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, at the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, and on the day of the rejoici...
Take this one, from (Song of Songs 4:3): “Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your speech is lovely; your temple is like a pomegranate slice behind your braid.” What does it e...
The mystics of old certainly did. to a fascinating interpretation of a verse from the Song of Songs, a book overflowing with symbolism and hidden meanings. "Your branches [shelaḥay...
The Song of Songs, or Shir HaShirim in Hebrew, is a tradition of metaphor. And in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a fascinating collection of rabbinic interpretations on this biblical book, ...
The process, according to our tradition, is absolutely fascinating. how do we arrive at these conclusions, these rulings that guide our lives? It’s a question that’s been pondered ...
The verse we’re unpacking is (Song of Songs 5:11): "His head is the finest gold; his locks are curls, black as a raven." Seems straightforward. But in the world of Jewish interpret...
Jewish tradition often uses metaphors to help us understand our place in the world, our relationship with God, and the destinies of nations. Take this story, as told by Rabbi Shmue...
Like one day you're just going about your business, and the next you're... somewhere else entirely? The ancient rabbis grappled with this feeling, this almost bewildered sense of e...
Ever read the Song of Songs and thought, "Wow, that's... descriptive?" It’s poetry, of course, but sometimes those ancient metaphors leave you scratching your head. Take (Song of S...
It seems that even the ancient Israelites weren't immune to this! to a fascinating passage from Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Song of Songs....
Jewish tradition has a beautiful answer for that feeling, a welcoming embrace for those who choose to join the community. It's all about gerim, or proselytes – converts to Judaism....
Rabbi Yitzchak, a sage of old, had an interesting take on this. He taught that before the Mishkan – the Tabernacle – was built, prophecy wasn't confined to the Israelites. It was, ...
Vayikra Rabbah turns to God Watches Over Israel Like a King Over His Only Son. Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai, a giant in the world of Jewish mysticism and a figure readers often encounter...
The Vayikra Rabbah, a Midrashic (rabbinic interpretive commentary) text focusing on the Book of Leviticus, tackles this very question. It begins with a seemingly simple verse: “Fro...
The Rabbis certainly did. one fascinating interpretation from Vayikra Rabbah, specifically Vayikra Rabbah 4, that unlocks layers of meaning in King David's timeless words. Rabbi Yo...
" (Job 34:29). What does it mean for God to "quiet"? The Midrash understands this as referring to a period of tranquility granted to the Ten Tribes of Israel. But was this tranquil...
A fascinating story from Vayikra Rabbah, a Midrash (rabbinic commentary) on the Book of Leviticus, that explores just that. It's a story of ambition, betrayal, and ultimately, divi...
The familiar picture has them as these larger-than-life figures, effortlessly delivering divine messages. But what if it wasn't that simple? What if accepting the role of prophet m...
The rabbis of old certainly did, and they painted some pretty wild pictures! One fascinating glimpse comes from Vayikra Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book...
Our ancestors grappled with similar feelings, and the rabbis of old explored this through beautiful metaphors in the Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary). to a fascinating pa...
the verse from (Leviticus 11:2): "Speak to the children of Israel saying: These are the living beings that you may eat from all the animals that are on the earth." Simple enough. B...
Sometimes, seemingly simple rules contain entire worlds of disagreement. Take the laws of slaughter, for instance. What seems like a straightforward process opens up a fascinating ...
Vayikra Rabbah turns to Moses the Lawgiver of Israelites. Vayikra Rabbah, a fascinating Midrashic (rabbinic interpretive commentary) collection, quotes Job (37:21), "Now they do no...
The ancient rabbis grappled with this very question. In Vayikra Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic homilies on the Book of Leviticus, they explore a fascinating connection between ho...
Rabbi Avin uses a parable. Imagine a king with a wine cellar. He hires guards, some are nezirim (Nazirites, who abstain from wine), and others are… well, let's just say they enjoy ...
