2,006 related texts · 10 related myths · Page 41 of 42
Shemot Rabbah, a collection of interpretations on the Book of Exodus, recounts a fascinating episode. It begins with the verse, "This month shall be for you" (Exodus 12:2), referri...
It’s a story about courage, about challenging the status quo, and about showing the world that what they worship is nothing more than an illusion. The verse in question is, "draw, ...
It's a feeling that Judaism, in its wisdom, addresses head-on. We find a fascinating exploration of this theme in Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Boo...
That feeling, that fear, is something the Jewish people have grappled with throughout our history. And it's right there in Shemot Rabbah 31, a midrash on the book of Exodus. The pa...
The book of Exodus, specifically 22:27, lays down a firm rule: "You shall not curse judges, [and a prince among your people you shall not revile]." Seems straightforward. But Rabbi...
A collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, there are four specific things that God longs for from His creation. The passage begins with the verse, "And you sha...
The verse from Hosea (14:3) says, "Take words with you and return to the Lord." The Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary) asks: What does that mean? Are we supposed to bring s...
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...
The ancient rabbis certainly thought so. We find this idea beautifully illustrated in Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus. It uses a verse...
The Torah tells us, "Betzalel crafted..." regarding every single item in the Tabernacle. But, wait a minute! Did he really do it all himself? That's the question posed in Shemot Ra...
The Book of 2 Kings (12:16) tells us, “They did not require a reckoning from the men [by whose hand] they gave the silver [to give to the workmen, as they acted with trustworthines...
In Shemot Rabbah, it’s deeply connected to the very essence of Jewish survival and destiny. The name itself hints at its purpose. The "Testimony" isn't just a set of rules – it's t...
The ancient rabbis certainly understood it. Let me tell you a story from Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a beautiful, expansive commentary on the Song of Songs, a.k.a. the Song of Solomon. T...
You turned the house upside down. You lit every lamp, peered into every corner. Why? Because the reward – finding that lost treasure – was worth the effort. Well, Shir HaShirim Rab...
Almost immediately, we're whisked away to a completely different topic: cheese. Specifically, the cheese of the gentiles. The Mishnah (the earliest code of rabbinic law) in Avoda Z...
Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the classical Rabbinic commentary on Song of Songs, offers a fascinating perspective. It suggests that we can "recount your love through wine [miyayin]." But ...
Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the rabbinic commentary on the Song of Songs, captures this beautifully in its interpretation of the verse: "I am black but lovely, daughters of Jerusalem, li...
Here, the verse "that the sun has tanned me" is used as a springboard to discuss the sins of the Jewish people. It's a fascinating, and frankly, a little unsettling interpretation....
A fascinating interpretation of a verse from the Song of Songs – Shir HaShirim – that explores just this idea: the contrast between foul odor and sweet fragrance, and what it revea...
Beautiful. But what does that imagery evoke? Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a Midrashic (rabbinic interpretive commentary) collection (meaning a collection of interpretations and stories) f...
Take the line, "Your eyes are like doves." What could that possibly mean? Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a classical midrashic (rabbinic interpretive commentary) commentary on the Song of S...
It wasn't just about bricks and mortar, you see. It was about something far deeper – a sense of stability, of divine presence truly dwelling amongst the people. Shir HaShirim Rabba...
What was God's response? According to Rabbi Yehuda bar Simon in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, it was like a king with priceless gems being asked for a treasure by his son. The king doesn't...
Shir HaShirim Rabbah connects Solomon's judgment to the places where Israel learned to seek God's presence. Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a classical rabbinic commentary on the Song of Son...
Shir HaShirim Rabbah turns to Elisheva's Song. The verse "Who is this ascending…," from (Song of Songs 3:6), is interpreted as referring to Elisheva, daughter of Aminadav. But who ...
The ancient rabbis did, and they found clues in the most unexpected places, even in the love poetry of the Song of Songs! It speaks of a "palanquin" made by King Solomon. But this ...
Jewish tradition sees it as an allegory, a story of the love between God and Israel. And within its verses, we find echoes of the Temple, its destruction, and the hope for redempti...
What's that about?" It's beautiful poetry, sure, but sometimes the imagery feels… obscure. Well, the ancient rabbis had a field day unpacking those metaphors. And when we dive into...
The ancient Rabbis did. They poured over the verses, searching for clues. And in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the rabbinic commentary on the Song of Songs, we find some fascinating answer...
Seems straightforward. But the Rabbis, in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, see layers of meaning here. Specifically, they focus on the Hebrew word libavtini – "you have charmed me." The spell...
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...
Take this verse from (Song of Songs 5:15): "His calves are pillars of marble, set on sockets of fine gold; his appearance is like Lebanon, choice like cedars.” What does any of tha...
Some verses in the Song of Songs sound almost too tender for angels. And then the midrash shows you that angels were exactly who they were meant for. Take (Song of Songs 7:10): "Yo...
Our Rabbis certainly did. They grappled with this very question, especially when comparing the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. In Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the Rabbis explore th...
Go back to the end of Exodus, to the detailed instructions for building the Mishkan. The text repeats, almost like a mantra, "As the Lord commanded Moses" (Exodus 39). Over and ove...
Before synagogues, before temples, even before families...there was Adam. What did Adam offer? Well, according to Rabbi Berekhya in Vayikra Rabbah, God has a message for us in the ...
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...
Vayikra Rabbah turns to Slaughtering the Bull to the North Before the Lord. The Sages in Vayikra Rabbah make a profound connection. They see these instructions as deeply intertwine...
The Torah tells us of an agreement, a covenant, between God and the Israelites. But the details, as explored in Vayikra Rabbah, are far more intricate and, frankly, a little . Rabb...
The ancient Israelites certainly did. And sometimes, even the best of us can feel that way. Imagine a powerful ruler entering your town, surrounded by criminals in chains. It’d be ...
They ask some fascinating questions about the roles of Moses and Aaron, especially during those pivotal moments of transition. we know Aaron becomes the High Priest. But what about...
Vayikra Rabbah turns to Everything Is Equal for the Righteous and the Wicked. Our entry point is the Book of Leviticus, specifically chapter 16, verse 1: “The Lord spoke to Moses a...
In Jewish tradition, this tension between joy and sorrow, celebration and mourning, is a constant theme. And it's beautifully, if somberly, explored in Vayikra Rabbah, specifically...
Vayikra Rabbah, specifically chapter 20, dives right into this difficult territory. It starts with a quote from Proverbs (17:26): “To punish also the righteous is not good." It's a...
The story centers around Nadav and Avihu, the sons of Aaron, Moses' brother and the High Priest. These two weren’t just any ordinary guys. They were close to the top, practically J...
Vayikra Rabbah turns to Had Nadav and Avihu Left Sons They Would Have Led Israel. Rabbi Yaakov bar Avin, quoting Rav Aḥa, makes a crucial point: if Nadab and Abihu had had sons, th...
See, (Leviticus 16:23) tells us that Aaron, the High Priest, would enter the Tent of Meeting – the Ohel Mo'ed – and remove the linen vestments he wore when he entered the Sanctum –...
It teaches us that even the smallest injustice can have enormous consequences, echoing through the world and even impacting our relationship with the Divine. Our jumping-off point ...
