Parshat Vayelech

998 related texts · 2 related myths · Page 21 of 21

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

The Prefix Bet in the First Word of the Torah Can Be Translated

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Bereshit 1

With1The prefix bet in the first word of the Torah can be translated as “with,” “in,”, “by means of,” etc. the beginning (Gen. 1:1). This is what Scripture means when it says: The ...

CreationTorahWisdomWomen of the Bible

The Lord on Behold, Man Has Become Like One of Us

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Bereshit 8

And the Lord said: Behold, man has become like one of us (Gen. 3:22). May our master teach us the punishment inflicted upon one who speaks evil?29Speaking evil (slander) is conside...

TorahAdam & EveDeathKing David

The Whole Earth Was of One Language

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Noach 16

And the whole earth was of one language (Gen. 11:1). May it please our master to teach us why a house with an eruv27A legal fiction which establishes the continuity of a community ...

TorahNoah & FloodHumorWomen of the Bible

Get Thee Out of Thy Country, and from Thy Kindred

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 2

Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred (Gen. 12:9). R. Berechiah opened the discussion with the verse: We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts; what shall we do...

TorahMartyrdomAbrahamHumor

Behold, There Came Up Out of the River Seven Kine After He Pharaoh Had

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Miketz 3

And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine (Gen. 41:2) After he (Pharaoh) had his dream, he summoned all his magicians. Whereupon the Holy Spirit called out: Where are ...

Dreams & VisionsJosephEgyptMoses

It Happened That Rabbi Hanina the Son of Dosa

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Vayigash 3

Then Judah came near unto him. Scripture states elsewhere in reference to this verse: The lion, which is the mightiest of beasts, turneth not away for anyone (Prov. 30:30). It happ...

TorahTribesConversionJoseph

Rabbi Johanan on He Went into the Wilderness Because He Foresaw

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Shemot 14

And he led the flock to the farthest end of the wilderness (Exod. 3:1). In answer to the query Why did he go into the wilderness? R. Johanan said: He went into the wilderness becau...

MosesExodusWomen of the BibleFlood

The Israelites on to God, O That Thou Wert as My Brother, Yet You Find

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Shemot 27

Another comment upon the verse And the Lord said to Aaron: “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses” (Exod. 4:27). Scripture says elsewhere in reference to this verse: O that thou wer...

MosesWomen of the BiblePriesthoodHatred

When Pharaoh Shall Speak Unto You, Saying Show a Wonder for You

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Vaera 3

When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying: “Show a wonder for you” (Exod. 7:9). He will be making a reasonable request to you. You find in the case of Noah, that though He said to ...

Noah & FloodMosesMiraclesEgypt

They on God of the Hebrews Hath Met with Us

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Vaera 6

And they said: “The God of the Hebrews hath met with us” (Exod. 5:3). Moses and Aaron declared: Perhaps You will say we altered Your words when we told him: “Thus said the Lord, th...

MosesEgyptHumorTribes

When Pharaoh Shall Speak Unto You

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Vaera 11

When Pharaoh shall speak unto you (Exod. 7:9). Scripture states (elsewhere in reference to this verse): Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are...

MosesEgyptSinBible

Rabbi Judah and Rabbi Nehemiah Discussed This Question

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Bo 2

Stretch out thy hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness (Exod. 10:21). Where did the darkness come from? R. Judah and R. Nehemiah discussed this question. R. Judah held: It ...

TorahNoah & FloodHumorDeath

Is It Not a Fact That He Spoke Only to Moses

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Bo 5

And the Lord spoke unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying (Exod. 12:1). Is it not a fact that He spoke only to Moses? Why, then, does the Scripture say unto Moses and Aa...

CovenantPriesthoodAdam & EveMoses

His Hands Were Steady Until the Going Down of the Sun

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Beshalach 28

And his hands were steady until the going down of the sun (Exod. 17:12). Since time was calculated by means of the stars, what did Moses do? He stopped the revolution of the sun, t...

MosesJoyAdam & EvePatriarchs

When We Reached the Sea We Left Unuttered No Words of Praise with

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Yitro 3

18:1). Scripture says elsewhere in allusion to this verse: Thine ointments have a goodly fragrance; thy name is an ointment poured forth; therefore do the maidens love thee (Song 1...

TorahHumorCommandmentsAdam & Eve

Who Called Israel Brother and Friend

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Yitro 5

18:1). Scripture says elsewhere: Thine own friend and thy father’s friend forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity; better is a neighbor that is ...

TorahWomen of the BiblePatriarchsJacob

How Very Great, Indeed, Was the Honor Accorded Him

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Yitro 6

18:1). Scripture says elsewhere in reference to this verse: The wise shall inherit honor; but as for the fools, they carry away shame (Prov. 3:35). The wise shall inherit honor ref...

MosesWisdomConversionBible

Behold, I Sent an Angel Before Thee

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Mishpatim 18

Behold, I sent an angel before thee (Exod. 23:20). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses: I will send an angel before you but not before them. Whereupon Moses replied: If you ...

MosesAngelsBlessingSin

Thou Shalt Make the Altar of Acacia-wood

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Terumah 10

And thou shalt make the altar of acacia-wood (Exod. 27:1). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses: Tell them to erect an altar for burnt offerings so that it may atone for the ...

SacrificeWomen of the BibleMosesSin

Though All the Writings in the Torah Are Holy

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Tetzaveh 5

And thou shalt command (Exod. 27:20). Scripture states elsewhere in reference to this verse: Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair (Song 1:15). R. Akiba said: The e...

TorahMusic & SongLoveCommandments

Why Did They Call the Sanhedrin a Navel

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Tisa 2

When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel (Exod. 30:12). Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: Thy navel is like a round goblet, thy belly is like a heap o...

TorahHumorSinTribes

The Lord Spoke Unto Moses Depart, Go Up Hence

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Tisa 26

And the Lord spoke unto Moses: “Depart, go up hence” (Exod. 33:1). This is what Scripture says in allusion to this verse: For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee ...

SacrificeJudgmentMosesSin

Then the Lord Spoke Unto Moses, Speak to Aaron Saying, …

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Achrei Mot 9

(Lev. 17:1, 3:) “Then the Lord spoke unto Moses, ‘Speak to Aaron saying, “…. If any single person from the House of Israel slaughters.”’” The holy spirit proclaims (in Mal. 1:11), ...

MosesAdam & EveSacrificeSin

It Is Hidden from Her Husband's Eyes

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Nasso 7

(Numb. 5:13, cont. ) “And it is hidden from her husband's eyes,” [is to] exclude one who is blind.39Sifre, Numb. 5:13 (7); Sot. 27a. Cf. Numb. R. 9:10, which explains the exception...

TorahWomen of the BibleHumorWit

Speak Unto Aaron and Unto His Children

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Nasso 8

(Numb. 6:22–23:) “Then the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, “Speak unto Aaron and unto his children, saying, ‘Thus shall you bless the Children of Israel.’” Let our master instruct u...

MosesTemplePriesthoodBlessing

Moses Entered and Heard a Majestic Voice

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Nasso 25

(Numb. 7:1:) “So it came to pass on the day that Moses had finished.” R. Judah bar Simon said, “On the day that the Tabernacle was erected, Moses entered and heard a majestic voice...

MosesTempleKing DavidKings

When Should My Name Israel Be Joined Upon Them

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Korach 4

(Numb. 16:1:) “[Korah who is] the son of Izhar [who is] the son of Kohath [who is] the son of Levi betook himself.” But there is not written "the son of Jacob" [or] "the son of Isr...

PatriarchsTribesHumorMoses

Then the Lord Spoke Unto Moses Saying

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Chukat 9

(Numb. 20:7-8:) “Then the Lord spoke unto Moses saying, ‘Take the rod... and you shall provide the congregation and their cattle with water.” From here it is shown that the Holy On...

CovenantMosesHumorRebellion

This Is That Which Is Stated, the Lot Puts an End to Strife. Since

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Pinchas 6

"But with a lot, etc." (Numbers 26:55). This is [the meaning of] that which is stated (Proverbs 18:18), "The lot puts an end to strife." Since a sign was written for each and every...

TorahTribesJoshuaAdam & Eve

Moses Brought Their Cause. Some Say That Made This Become Too Hard for

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Pinchas 8

(Numb. 27:5:) “Moses brought their cause [before the Lord].” Some say that [God] made this become too hard for Moses, as there are righteous people that become [overly] proud in ma...

MosesKing DavidBlessingCommandments

Why Are You Casting Lots Between Me and My House

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Masei 5

It is written (in Josh. 7:19), “Then Joshua said unto Achan, ‘My son, please give glory [to the Lord God of Israel and make a confession to Him; please tell me what you have done, ...

TorahWomen of the BibleJoshuaHumor

You Shall Provide Yourselves with Places to Serve You as Cities

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Masei 13

(Numbers 35:11:) “You shall provide yourselves with places to serve you as cities of refuge.” And it is written (in (Numbers 35:13-1)4), “six cities of refuge shall there be for yo...

TorahTribesExilePriesthood

I Besought. This Text Is Related

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Vaetchanan 4

Another interpretation (of Deut. 3:23), “I besought [the Lord].” This text is related (to Is. 30:19), “Indeed, O people in Zion, inhabitants of Jerusalem, you shall surely weep no ...

Holy LandPrayerAdam & EveTribes

When the Lord Cuts Down God on to Israel, by Your Lives, I Will

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Re'eh 7

When the Lord cuts down (Deuteronomy 12:29): The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel, "By your lives, I will conduct your wars and write about you that you killed them." Come a...

TorahKingsExodusEgypt

As This Is What Moshe Did and Moshe Chose Men of Valor, in Torah, in

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Shoftim 3

Judges and officials (Deuteronomy 16:18): The judges need to be men of strength through good deeds. As this is what Moshe did: "And Moshe chose men of valor" (Exodus 18:25), in Tor...

MosesJudgmentJudgesAnimals

Rabbi Levi Opened, You Have Rebuked the Nations You Have Destroyed

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Teitzei 9

R. Levi opened [his discourse] (with Ps. 9:6), “You have rebuked the nations; you have destroyed the wicked one”: “You have rebuked the nations.” This refers to Amalek, of which it...

TorahHumorTribesSin

It Shall Come to Pass When the Lord Your God Grants You Rest. Rabbi

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Teitzei 11

(Deut. 25:19:) “And it shall come to pass when the Lord your God grants you rest [… you shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek].” R. Azariah and R. Judah bar Simon said in the na...

TorahKingsDivine throneCommandments

Your Ointments Yield a Sweet Fragrance

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Tavo 3

And it shall be if you truly listen (Deuteronomy 28:1): This is that which was stated in the verse (Song of Songs 1:3), "Your ointments yield a sweet fragrance, your name is like f...

TorahDivine justiceChanukahHumor