Parshat Vaera

3,636 related texts · Page 28 of 76

God reveals His name to Moses, the first seven plagues strike Egypt, and Pharaoh's heart is hardened. Exodus 6:2-9:35.

Moses Refuses God's Angel and Demands God Himself

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 5:109

And the story of how he pushed back, how he insisted on something more, is a powerful one. It's a story that reveals not just Moses' character, but something profound about the rel...

AngelsMosesHoly Land

Moses Delivers His Ethical Will Like the Patriarchs

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 5:112

In Jewish tradition, the concept of final instructions, of ethical wills, is incredibly powerful. It’s about more than just passing on possessions; it’s about passing on values, a ...

PatriarchsMosesTorahProphecy

Why Moses Waited Until After Victory to Rebuke Israel

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 5:113

It's not just a modern saying; it's a lesson woven deep into our traditions. Think about Moses, right before the Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land. He has some seriou...

MosesHoly LandAdam & EveWar

Balaam Was Really Laban the Deceiver Reborn

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:2

Jewish tradition certainly hints at that possibility! Take Balaam, for example. You know, the one hired to curse the Israelites? The Moabites and Midianites thought he was Moses' e...

PatriarchsMosesProphecyHoly Land

Moses and the First Humans of Zimri

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:60

The story centers around Zimri, a prince of the tribe of Simeon, and his brazen defiance. He publicly takes Cozbi, a Midianite woman, as his own. A clear violation of the law. But ...

Adam & EveMosesTorahSoul

Moses and Divine Judgment of Phinehas

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:61

It’s a question that’s haunted scholars and storytellers for centuries. But the answer, as is often the case in Jewish tradition, is layered with meaning and moral complexity. The ...

Hell/GehennaMosesTorahSinai

Phinehas in the Days of Moses

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:64

This isn't just a personal matter; it's a public act of defiance, a slap in the face to the laws and traditions they were meant to uphold. Tension is thick in the air. Phinehas, co...

MosesTorahRepentanceHoly Land

Five Wise Sisters Who Challenged Moses on Inheritance

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:76

Your father has died, leaving no sons. Now, under the laws of inheritance, you and your sisters are facing a grim future: no land, no security, no real place in the community. What...

JosephMosesTorahWisdom

The Women of the Exodus Generation Loved the Land More

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:77

Sometimes, it's not who you expect. In the story of the Israelites wandering in the desert, fresh from their Exodus from Egypt, we often focus on the big figures: Moses, Aaron, the...

JosephMosesPrayerRepentance

Death of Zelophehad of Moses

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:78

That's the story of the daughters of Zelophehad, and it's a tale that resonates even today. These weren't just any women; they were on a mission. Their father, Zelophehad, had died...

HeavenMosesTorahDeath

Moses Considers Who Should Succeed Him as Leader

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:83

We often picture him receiving the Torah, parting the Red Sea... but what about the everyday leadership challenges? Well, one fascinating story in Legends of the Jews, drawn from v...

MosesSoulWisdom

Joshua — Moses and the Messiah

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:86

Moses, our great leader, actually got a glimpse of that. According to Legends of the Jews, a collection of stories compiled by Rabbi Louis Ginzberg, Moses had a special request of ...

MosesMessiahSoulWisdom

Moses Publicly Installs Joshua as Israel's New Leader

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:88

A daunting task, wouldn't you say? The Torah tells us that Moses didn't just appoint Joshua. He made sure everyone knew it was happening, and understood why. According to the bibli...

MosesTorahHoly LandShabbat

Moses Was Genuinely Glad to Pass Leadership to Joshua

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:89

We often think of them as seamless, ordained from above. But what about the human element? The joy of passing the torch, the inevitable comparisons, the quiet transfer of power? Le...

MosesWisdomHoly Land

Joshua — Moses and the Promised Land

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:92

It’s a moment packed with weight, the transfer of leadership for an entire people. – leading the Israelites after Moses? Talk about big shoes to fill! The story goes that after Mos...

MosesHoly LandJoshuaKings

Joshua Weeps and Tears His Clothes at Moses's Farewell

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:93

The weight of that moment, the sheer magnitude of the loss... it's almost unbearable to contemplate. According to Legends of the Jews, when Joshua heard the words of Moses, words e...

CreationNoah & FloodMosesTorah

God Commands Moses to Punish Moab and Ammon Differently

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:97

Remember him? He was Abraham's nephew. His daughters famously conceived children by him after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:30-38), leading to the birth of the ...

MosesRepentanceHoly Land

Why Moses Attacked Midian Immediately but Spared Moab

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:98

Specifically, think about the Midianites and the Moabites. Both were thorns in the side of Israel, but according to tradition, the command to wage war against them came at the same...

Hell/GehennaMosesKing DavidRepentance

Moses Delays the Midian War Knowing His Death Follows

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:99

And it’s certainly on display as we approach the end of Moses' life in the book of Numbers. The story goes that God tells Moses he’s going to die soon, specifically after avenging ...

MosesHoly LandDeathWar

Moses Links His Life to the Midian Mission Then Lets Go

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:100

The story goes that Moses, knowing his time was drawing near, faced a weighty decision. God commanded him to wage war against the Midianites. But Moses, ever the insightful leader,...

MosesHoly LandDeath

Israel Refuses to March Because Moses Will Die After

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:102

It happened to the Israelites. The story goes that Moses, ever faithful, prepared to lead them into battle against Midian. But the people… well, they weren't so enthusiastic. Accor...

MosesTorahHoly Land

Why Moses Never Begged to Enter the Promised Land

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:119

after leading the Israelites through the desert for forty long years, Moses was denied entry into the land flowing with milk and honey. Harsh. And here’s the really interesting par...

Hell/GehennaMosesPrayerRepentance

Moses Begged God 515 Times to Enter the Land

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:120

We all know the story: Moses, leader of the Israelites, led them through the desert for forty years, practically dragging them kicking and screaming toward the Promised Land. But h...

CreationHeavenHell/GehennaMoses

God Seals Heaven So No Angel Will Carry Moses's Prayers

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:121

That’s a glimpse into the struggle of Moses, as his life drew to a close. The story goes that God, having decreed that Moses would not cross the Jordan into the Promised Land, then...

CreationHeavenAngelsMoses

Moses Argues He Sinned Less Than Adam Yet Must Die

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:129

It’s a question that’s wrestled with in Jewish tradition, and the answers… well, they’re complex, poignant, and deeply human. Imagine Moses, standing before God, pleading his case....

HeavenAdam & EvePatriarchsMoses

Moses Asks Why Israel Was Forgiven but He Was Not

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:131

He had led the Israelites through unimaginable hardship, pleaded with God on their behalf countless times, and witnessed miracles beyond comprehension. Yet, when he faltered, the h...

CreationHell/GehennaAngelsMoses

Covenant of Moses of Jordan

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:137

He led the Israelites through the desert for forty long years, endured hardship after hardship, and finally, finally, the Promised Land was within sight. But he wasn't going to be ...

CreationHeavenMosesTorah

Moses Tried Everything to Enter the Promised Land

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:139

He'd been praying, begging, trying everything he could to change God's decree that he wouldn't enter the Promised Land. But it wasn't working. And that's when, as Legends of the Je...

CreationHeavenMosesHoly Land

Moses Begs Heaven and Earth to Intercede for His Life

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:142

That’s a glimpse into the desperation Moses must have felt as his life was coming to an end. We all know Moses. The towering figure who led the Israelites out of Egypt, received th...

HeavenMosesSun and moonAdam & Eve

Moses Pleads With the Great Sea to Let Him Cross

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:146

Jewish tradition certainly knows the feeling. Let's talk about MOSES, at the very end of his life. Here’s MOSES, the guy who spoke to God face to face, led the Israelites out of Eg...

MosesHumorPrayerKings

Wisdom of Moses of Joshua

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:147

The story goes that when Moses realized that Heaven and Earth, the very cosmos, wouldn’t answer his prayers, he turned to humanity. He sought solace, intercession, from those he ha...

CreationHeavenDemonsMoses

Covenant of Moses of Caleb

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:149

Remember how Moses desperately wanted to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land? We've talked about that burning desire before. But Samael (the angel of death), that ever-prese...

DemonsMosesTemplePrayer

Throne of Glory of Moses

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:150

Moses, the great leader, the man who spoke to God face-to-face, had just learned he wouldn't be entering the Promised Land. The people, witnessing this, were devastated. They wept,...

HeavenAngelsDemonsMoses

Moses Begs the Angel of the Face to Save Him

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:151

Even Moses, the great lawgiver, the one who spoke face-to-face with God, reached such a point. Imagine the scene: Moses knows his time is near. He desperately wants to live, to con...

AngelsMosesPrayer

God's Anger Softens When Moses Invokes the Thirteen Attributes

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:152

It wasn’t exactly a calm, rational discussion – more like a celestial tug-of-war. According to Ginzberg’s retelling in Legends of the Jews, God was pretty miffed at Moses. Moses wa...

HeavenAngelsMosesTorah

Trial of Moses of Joshua

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:154

He led the Israelites for forty long years, through trials and tribulations, bringing them to the very doorstep of the Promised Land. But he wasn't allowed to cross over. Why? The ...

CreationMosesHoly Land

Moses and the Promised Land of Joshua

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:155

We get a glimpse into this transition in the Legends of the Jews, that incredible compilation of rabbinic stories and lore gathered by Louis Ginzberg. It's not just about handing o...

MosesHoly LandJoshuaAdam & Eve

Joshua Is Mortified When Moses Tries to Dress Him

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:157

And it seems even Joshua, the great successor to Moses, felt that deeply. The story goes that the time was approaching when Joshua would usually get up. Now, imagine Moses, the lea...

HeavenMosesTorahShabbat

Moses Personally Leads Joshua Out Before All Israel

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:158

That's a glimpse into the story of Joshua taking over leadership from Moses. The moment had arrived. Joshua was ready, dressed for the occasion, prepared to step into the daunting ...

MosesHoly LandJoshuaDivine justice

Adar — Moses at the Dawn of Creation

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 7:2

The tradition paints a powerful picture. The Legends of the Jews tells us that Moses spent the time from the first day of Shevat (a month in the Jewish calendar, usually falling in...

CreationAngelsNoah & FloodMoses

Joshua — Wisdom of Moses

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 7:5

What would you do? What wisdom would you impart? This is the poignant scene we find ourselves in with Moses, nearing the end of his earthly journey. According to Legends of the Jew...

HeavenMosesMysticismDivine Names

Abraham in Battle of Moses

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 7:7

The Torah says God showed Moses the land, but the Legends of the Jews fills in the blanks with breathtaking detail. Imagine this: God, pointing to the land, says, "'This is the lan...

HeavenHell/GehennaPatriarchsMoses

God Shows Moses His Heavenly Reward Before Death

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 7:14

Jewish tradition offers some truly breathtaking glimpses, and one of the most vivid involves none other than Moses himself. Imagine this: it’s the day of Moses' death. A day of imm...

HeavenAngelsMosesKing David

Moses Asks God to Show Him the Future of the World

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 7:15

Imagine, for a moment, being in his sandals, standing in the very presence of God. It's a question that has captivated Jewish scholars and storytellers for centuries. The Legends o...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsMoses

Moses Refuses to Surrender His Soul to the Angel of Death

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 7:19

The story of Moses’ death in Jewish tradition is so much more than just an ending; it's a testament to his unparalleled relationship with the Divine. After receiving the decree of ...

CreationHeavenAngelsMoses

Samael Comes for Moses's Soul but Loses Courage

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 7:20

We know the broad strokes from the Torah: he ascends Mount Nebo, gazes upon the Promised Land he will never enter, and then… he dies. But Jewish tradition, bless its heart, rarely ...

CreationHeavenAngelsDemons

Moses Has Only One Hour Left to Live

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 7:21

After a lifetime of leading the Israelites, of speaking directly to God, he was being told his journey was ending. The story goes that another hour had passed, and a heavenly voice...

HeavenAdam & EveMosesTorah

Moses Begs All Creation to Plead for His Life

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 7:23

Here's a man who spoke to God, led his people out of slavery, and performed miracles. But now, facing his own mortality, he’s brought to his knees. The story goes that Moses, knowi...

CreationHeavenMoses