Parshat Vayelech

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Moses's final day, the commandment of Hakhel (public Torah reading), and the prediction of Israel's future rebellion. Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30.

Rebecca — Abraham at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 90:1

But Jewish tradition, with its beautiful layers of interpretation, sees something far deeper. The rabbis of Bereshit Rabbah, an ancient and profound commentary on the Book of Genes...

CreationPatriarchsJosephMoses

Pharaoh Rejoices When Joseph's Brothers Arrive

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 94:1

We find a fascinating example of this in the story of Joseph and his brothers, a tale filled with drama, reconciliation, and the enduring strength of family. The verse in (Genesis ...

CreationPatriarchsJosephMoses

Egypt — Jacob at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 96:1

It's even woven into the very fabric of the Torah. : we read in (Genesis 47:28), "Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were o...

CreationPatriarchsJosephJob

Jonah — Zebulun at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 98:11

We're going to explore a verse about the tribe of Zebulun and how it unexpectedly leads us to... the prophet Jonah. The verse in question is (Genesis 49:13): "Zebulun will dwell at...

CreationElijahTorahProphecy

The Tribes of Reuben and Gad Settle East of Jordan

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 98:15

The story begins with the tribes of Reuben and Gad. As Israel was in the process of conquering and dividing the land, these tribes, as the midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary...

CreationPatriarchsMosesPrayer

Faith of Miriam

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 6:12

Let's look at Miriam, a pivotal figure in the Exodus narrative. : she was celebrated as a prophetess, a leader, a woman of immense faith. The book of Exodus (15:20) tells us, “Miri...

MosesEgyptWomen of the Bible

Torah Compared to Water, Wine, Honey, and Milk

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 7:3

Water, wine, honey… it's a veritable feast of metaphors! But what's the meaning behind it all? Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the book of Deuteronomy, explor...

CreationSolomonJobTorah

Behold Your Days Are Approaching to Die Says God to Moses

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 9:1

In (Deuteronomy 31:14), God says to Moses, "Behold, your days are approaching to die; summon Joshua, and stand in the Tent of Meeting and I will command him." This verse, "Behold, ...

CreationAngelsJosephMoses

Moses and the King of Rabbis

Midrash Rabbah Kohelet Rabbah 9:1

"What was is what will be," it says, "and what was done is what will be done; and there is nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9). But is that really true? Are we just doome...

MosesKing DavidSolomonTemple

The Eulogy That Honored a Life of Torah Study

Midrash Rabbah Kohelet Rabbah 11:4

That’s a feeling woven deep into the tapestry of Jewish tradition, a feeling the rabbis grappled with intensely. how they expressed it. The story begins with the passing of Ḥiyya b...

CreationPatriarchsJosephSolomon

Rabbi Akiva and Solomon of Judges

Midrash Rabbah Kohelet Rabbah 16:1

The book of Ecclesiastes, or Kohelet, as it's known in Hebrew, grapples with this very feeling. "I said: Wisdom is better than courage, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, ...

SolomonTorahPrayerWisdom

The Midwives Who Feared God and Saved the Boys

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 1:15

We all know about Moses, about the plagues, about the parting of the Red Sea. But what about the women who defied a king's cruel decree and saved countless Israelite babies? The To...

CreationPatriarchsJosephMoses

Pharaoh — Kingdom of Moses

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 3:9

In the book of Exodus, specifically (Exodus 3:19), God tells Moses, "And I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go, except by a mighty hand.” It's a pretty direct warning. ...

HeavenJosephMosesSolomon

Datan in Joseph's Time

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 5:20

In the Book of Exodus, we read, "The foremen of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, saying: Why have you not fulfilled your appointed...

JosephMosesSoulHoly Land

How God Counted the Days Until Israel's Redemption

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 15:6

It's not just dry recitation – it's a story of resilience, faith, and the enduring bond between God and the Jewish people. to a fascinating passage from Shemot Rabbah 15, a collect...

CreationAngelsPatriarchsJoseph

Israel Slaughters Egyptian Gods on Passover Night

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 16:3

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, ...

JosephMosesKing DavidTemple

What Is So Special About Hyssop on Passover

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 17:2

The ancient rabbis certainly did. to a fascinating interpretation from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic homilies on the Book of Exodus. It all begins with a seemingly simple...

JosephKing DavidSolomonTorah

The Great Miracles God Performed at Midnight

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 18:5

Specifically, we're looking at section 18, which explores the verse "it was at midnight" (Exodus 12:29) in the context of miracles, divine messengers, and God's intricate plans. Th...

CreationHeavenAngelsDemons

The Hidden Orchard Beneath Egypt's Rocky Field

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 20:5

The verse says, "it was when Pharaoh let the people go," (Exodus 13:17) which leads us to (Song of Songs 4:13): "Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates." Rabbi Levi uses a pa...

PatriarchsJosephMosesKing David

Wonders of Genesis of Israelites

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 21:5

Jewish tradition recognizes that very tension within us, and even within the relationship between God and Israel. Shemot Rabbah, a classic midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary...

CreationHeavenAngelsAdam & Eve

Moses and the Fires of Gehenna of Egypt

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 22:1

to a fascinating passage from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, specifically chapter 22, that explores exactly that idea. The verse in ...

Hell/GehennaNoah & FloodJosephMoses

Moses Sang at the Red Sea to Atone for Past Doubt

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:3

Shemot Rabbah, a collection of Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary)ic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, offers a fascinating insight into this very question, focusing on...

MosesSolomonProphecyRepentance

Moses Sings and the Bond Between God and Israel Endures

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:5

We’re diving into Shemot Rabbah today, specifically section 23, which explores the verse, “Then Moses…sang” (Exodus 15:1). But this isn’t just about a song after crossing the Sea o...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsMoses

Who Got to Sing First After the Sea Was Split

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:7

The story begins, as we all know, with the parting of the Red Sea. A moment of unimaginable salvation for the Israelites, fleeing slavery in Egypt. Moses leads the people, and as t...

JosephMosesKing DavidProphecy

God's Mare in Pharaoh's Chariots and Its Meaning

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:14

It all starts with the verse, "For He is exalted." The Rabbis ask, what does that truly mean? Rabbi Pappos offers a beautiful and subtle reading of the verse from (Song of Songs 1:...

AngelsMosesKing DavidSolomon

The Horse and His Rider Cast Into the Sea

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:15

We know the story: the Israelites trapped, the Egyptians bearing down, then – miraculously – the waters split, a path appears, and they escape to freedom. But what about the unseen...

AngelsMosesProphecyMysticism

Moses and the Dreamer of Okay

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 24:2

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...

JosephMosesPrayerHoly Land

Moses and the Heavenly Realms of Egypt

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 25:4

The story starts with a grumble. "The entire congregation of the children of Israel complained" (Exodus 16:2). They were wandering in the desert, fresh out of Egypt, and their port...

HeavenJosephMosesProphecy

God Tells Moses to Find Ten Righteous People

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 44:7

He was trying to save the Israelites from destruction, and the story goes something like this… God, seeing the Israelites’ transgressions, essentially challenges Moses. "Find me te...

PatriarchsMosesHoly Land

The Ten Curtains of the Tabernacle and Their Meaning

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 49:1

Our story begins with a seemingly simple verse from (Exodus 36:8): "All the wise hearted among those who performed the labor crafted the Tabernacle: ten tapestries of spun linen an...

PatriarchsMosesSolomonTemple

Joseph the Diligent Man Who Stood Before Kings

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:1

The very first verse tells us: “The Song of Songs, that is Solomon’s” (Song of Songs 1:1). And the Rabbis, in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, begin by linking it to a verse from Proverbs: “H...

CreationJosephMosesSolomon

The Diligent Man Who Earned the Right to Stand Before Kings

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:2

The verse "Have you seen a man diligent in his work? He will stand before kings" (Proverbs 22:29) sparked quite the debate. Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpret...

JosephMosesTempleMiracles

David's Diligence From Shepherd Boy to King

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:3

The Book of Proverbs asks, "Have you seen a man diligent in his labor?" (Proverbs 22:29). But Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the classic rabbinic commentary on the Song of Songs, takes this...

King DavidSolomonTorahProphecy

Temple — Wisdom of Solomon

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:5

We often think of Solomon, King Solomon, as this incredibly wise and diligent ruler. But was he always that way? Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on t...

Hell/GehennaAngelsKing DavidSolomon

Solomon the Master of Parables and Torah Wisdom

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:8

It's deep, it's rich, but sometimes… it feels inaccessible. That's where stories, analogies, and parables come in. And King Solomon, according to Jewish tradition, was a master of ...

King DavidSolomonTorahMessiah

Elijah and Creation of Alacrity

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:9

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...

CreationNoah & FloodKing DavidSolomon

Anointing Oil for Priests and Kings in Israel

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 3:2

We see it used for anointing, for lighting, for cooking... but what's the deeper symbolism? to a fascinating exploration from Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpr...

CreationJobTorahMessiah

Abraham's Fragrance Released When God Said Go

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 3:3

Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary)ic commentary on the Song of Songs, dives deep into the verse where God tells Abraham, “Go you from your land, fro...

CreationHeavenNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Draw Me Toward You and We Will Run After You Together

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 4:2

That feeling, that intense desire, is at the heart of today's story. We find ourselves in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, an ancient commentary on the Song of Songs, that most beautiful and ...

HeavenAngelsMosesSolomon

Why Some Nations Face Judgment and Others Do Not

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 4:3

The ancient rabbis grappled with this very feeling, this sense that some groups seem to get away with things that others don't. And they found surprising answers in the stories of ...

CreationHell/GehennaNoah & FloodTorah

Finding the Divine Even in the Forces of Amalek

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 4:4

They found ways to see even those challenging forces as a path towards the Divine. to a fascinating interpretation of a verse from Shir HaShirim, the Song of Songs, explored in Shi...

PatriarchsJosephMosesKing David

This Is the Day the Lord Has Made Let Us Rejoice

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 4:9

That feeling is something the ancient rabbis grappled with too, especially when reading scripture. Take (Psalm 118:24): "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us exult and re...

King DavidSolomonTorah

Recount Your Love Through Wine on Passover Night

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 4:10

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 ...

Adam & EvePatriarchsTorahTemple

I Am Dark but Lovely Says the Community of Israel

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 5:1

And 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...

JosephMosesKing DavidSolomon

My Own Mother's Sons Were Angry With Me Says Israel

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 6:4

That feeling, that sting of inner circle treachery, echoes through the ancient words of Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the collection of Rabbinic teachings on the Song of Songs. Today, we'r...

AngelsJosephMosesSolomon

Israel in Exile Asks God Where He Has Gone

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 6:5

It’s a surprisingly ancient feeling. And it's at the heart of a fascinating passage in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Song of Songs. The pass...

TorahProphecyHoly LandExile

Moses Asks God Where He Should Lead the Flock

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 7:1

I can't possibly do that!" Well, Moses felt that way too. to a fascinating interpretation of the Song of Songs that reveals Moses's very human anxieties. The verse we're looking at...

JosephMosesSolomonProphecy

Moses Asks God Who Will Lead After He Dies

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 7:2

Moses knew that feeling all too well. As he approached the end of his time, he had one burning question for God: "Who will lead Your people after I'm gone?" This question forms the...

HeavenPatriarchsMosesKing David