Parshat Vayeshev

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Joseph's dreams and his brothers' jealousy, Joseph sold into slavery, Judah and Tamar, and Joseph in Potiphar's house and prison. Genesis 37:1-40:23.

Angels Attend to Samael

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 21:7

And in Shemot Rabbah, a compilation of rabbinic commentary on the Book of Exodus, they offer a powerful, if somewhat unsettling, answer. The verse in question is God's instruction ...

AngelsDemonsJosephMoses

Trapped at the Red Sea Between Pharaoh and the Waves

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 21:8

The Israelites certainly did at the Red Sea. Pharaoh’s army was bearing down on them, and the sea was, well, a sea. So what were they supposed to do? Pray? Act? Just give up? The B...

CreationHell/GehennaAdam & EvePatriarchs

Pharaoh Pursues Israel and Seals His Own Doom

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 21:11

There's a fascinating, and perhaps unsettling, perspective offered in Shemot Rabbah, a compilation of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, that uses a surprising analogy...

JosephMosesKing DavidMysticism

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

Egypt — Job at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 22:3

It all comes down to what those moments taught us about ourselves and about our relationship with God. to a fascinating passage from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpr...

CreationNoah & FloodJosephMoses

Rabbi Abahu's Song

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:2

The ancient Israelites, fresh out of Egypt, knew that feeling all too well. We find a fascinating glimpse into this in Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on th...

CreationJosephMosesKing David

Ten Songs From the Exodus to the Age of the Messiah

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:6

It's more than just "Who Knows One?" around the Passover table, I promise you that. Our Sages understood that the Exodus wasn't just a one-time event; it was a template for all fut...

JosephMosesKing DavidTorah

The Children Who Recognized God at the Red Sea First

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:8

Our story comes from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus. It paints a breathtaking picture of divine intervention and the unwavering faith...

JosephMosesSolomonProphecy

God Executes Justice as Egypt Drowns in the Sea

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:9

That feeling, that's what we're diving into today, looking at a passage from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus. The passage opens with a...

Hell/GehennaJosephMosesKing David

Moses — Yitro and the Fires of Gehenna

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 24:3

It might seem a little... unflattering at first glance. But as with so many things in our tradition, there's a depth and beauty to be found when we dig a little deeper. Shemot Rabb...

Hell/GehennaJosephMosesKing David

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

Manna as Bread from Heaven Earned Through Torah

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 25:7

The passage begins by linking the manna, that miraculous bread from heaven, to a verse in Proverbs (9:5): "Come, partake of my bread, and drink of the wine I have mixed." What's th...

CreationHeavenAdam & EveNoah & Flood

Jacob and Creation of Eden

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 25:8

The ancient rabbis felt that way too, and they found profound hope in the story of the Exodus. In Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, we ...

CreationHeavenAdam & EvePatriarchs

What Exactly Did Jethro Hear That Made Him Come

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 27:4

A single event, a powerful moment, that resonates far beyond its origin. The Book of Exodus, or Shemot in Hebrew, tells us that "Yitro heard..." (Exodus 18:1). But what exactly did...

JosephMosesKing DavidSolomon

The Many Surprising Identities and Names of Jethro

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 27:9

The ancient rabbis grappled with this very idea, and their insights, preserved in Shemot Rabbah, a collection of homiletic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, offer some fascina...

Hell/GehennaPatriarchsJosephMoses

Trial of Rabbi Simlai

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 29:1

The book of Deuteronomy (4:33) asks a pretty profound question: “Has a people heard the voice of God [Elohim] speaking [medaber] from the midst of the fire, as you heard, and lived...

JosephMosesKing DavidDivine Names

God Freed Us From Egypt So We Would Accept His Kingship

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 29:3

He says that God declares "I am the Lord your God" precisely because He took us out of Egypt. It's the foundation. He freed us so that we would, in turn, accept His divinity upon o...

JosephEgyptKingsRoyalty

Golden Calf and the Fires of Gehenna

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 30:7

It all starts with a seemingly straightforward verse from (Exodus 21:37): “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he shall pay five cattle for the ox and f...

Hell/GehennaJosephMosesKing David

How God Showed Love to Moses Through the Law

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 30:10

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...

CreationJosephMosesHoly Land

Korah in Paradise

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 31:16

It's not just about power, but about the very fabric of society and our relationship with the Divine. The book of Exodus, specifically 22:27, lays down a firm rule: "You shall not ...

Adam & EveJosephMosesSolomon

God Almost Destroyed Israel for the Golden Calf

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 32:8

It happened. And the story, found in Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, is It all starts after the Golden Calf incident. Moses, understa...

AngelsJosephMosesSolomon

Take Words Not Sacrifices and Return to God

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 38:4

The ancient rabbis wrestled with this, too, and their insights, preserved in Shemot Rabbah, are surprisingly relevant today. The verse from Hosea (14:3) says, "Take words with you ...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsJoseph

Betzalel at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 40:3

In Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, we find a fascinating passage that hints at just that. It starts with the verse, "See, I have call...

CreationAdam & EvePatriarchsJoseph

Mordechai's Many Names and What Each One Meant

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 40:4

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...

CreationHell/GehennaPatriarchsJoseph

The Tablets Given to Moses as He Finished Speaking

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 41:1

The ancient rabbis certainly did. This week, we're diving into a passage from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, specifically Shemot Rab...

CreationJosephMosesKing David

The Miraculous Writing Engraved on the Tablets

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 41:7

Our tradition teaches that the Torah isn't just a book; it's a blueprint for creation, a manifestation of God's very being. And the luchot, the tablets upon which the Ten Commandme...

CreationHeavenAngelsJoseph

Go Down for Your People Have Acted Corruptly

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 42:1

The book of Exodus and the sages of the Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary) explore this very idea. In (Exodus 32:7), we read, "The Lord spoke to Moses: Go descend; for your...

CreationHell/GehennaAngelsAdam & Eve

How Moses Defended Israel From God's Wrath

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 43:7

It’s a moment of intense frustration, but also a testament to Moses's unwavering advocacy for his people. How does he possibly defend the indefensible? to the story as illuminated ...

JosephMosesWisdomHoly Land

Egypt — Abraham at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 44:1

Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, offers a fascinating perspective on this, likening the people of Israel to a vine. Rabbi Tanhuma bar ...

CreationPatriarchsJosephMoses

Moses Asks to See God's Glory and Learns Humility

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 45:5

The Torah is full of moments like that, and they teach us so much about ourselves and our relationship with the Divine. We find a fascinating exploration of this idea in Shemot Rab...

Hell/GehennaAngelsJosephMoses

Songs — Abraham at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 49:2

Good intentions, maybe, but with a track record that's... well, let's just say "mixed"? That's the feeling at the heart of a beautiful passage in Shemot Rabbah 49, a collection of ...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsJoseph

How Receiving the Torah Made Israel Immortal Briefly

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 51:8

Shemot Rabbah, the collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, offers a fascinating glimpse. Specifically, Shemot Rabbah 51 dives into the idea that the Israelite...

HeavenAngelsJosephMoses

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

Solomon and the Heavenly Realms

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:10

In fact, the Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Song of Songs, dives deep into its meaning and context, revealing some pretty surprising ideas. L...

HeavenJosephMosesKing David

Abraham's Fragrance Released When God Said Go

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 3:3

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

CreationHeavenNoah & FloodPatriarchs

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

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

Go Out in the Footsteps of the Flock Says the Beloved

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 8:1

And it's a feeling, according to our sages, that even Moses himself grappled with. to a fascinating passage from Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a Midrashic (rabbinic interpretive commentary...

CreationJosephMosesKing David

God Likens Israel to His Love at the Red Sea

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 9:6

Today, we’re diving into Shir HaShirim Rabbah 9, a section of the rabbinic commentary on the Song of Songs, and trust me, it’s not always what you’d expect. The verse under discuss...

CreationHeavenJosephMoses

The Gifts of Gold That Adorned Israel Like a Bride

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 11:1

It's not just a love poem, but a lens through which to view the most precious gifts given to the Jewish people. to one fascinating interpretation from Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a colle...

Noah & FloodJosephMosesSolomon

Songs — Mikhael at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 12:1

Today, we’re diving into 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 fra...

CreationHeavenAngelsNoah & Flood

Noah and Creation of Land

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 15:4

We see it everywhere, from synagogue art to holiday decorations. But have you ever stopped to consider why? Well, let’s dive into a fascinating passage from Shir HaShirim Rabbah – ...

CreationHeavenAdam & EveNoah & Flood

Divine Presence of Temple

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 16:3

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...

HeavenJosephKing DavidTemple

Avun — Esau at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 2:6

But in the ancient wisdom of Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the Song of Songs commentary, we find just that: the humble lily as a powerful metaphor for the enduring spirit of Israel. Rabbi ...

CreationPatriarchsJosephMoses

The Apple Tree as a Symbol of Sinai and Torah

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 3:2

Jewish tradition is full of such considerations, especially when it comes to our sacred texts. Take, for example, the apple tree. Seems simple. But in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a compi...

CreationJosephMosesTorah

God Gives Israel the Torah Like Priceless Gems

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 3:3

And 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 doe...

JosephMosesKing DavidSolomon

Death of Hadrian

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 5:3

That’s how I feel diving into the pages of Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of Rabbinic interpretations of the Song of Songs. Today, we're looking at a fascinating passage from s...

HeavenNoah & FloodJosephMoses

Messiah — Moses at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim Rabbah 8:2

Jewish tradition understands that feeling, and offers a powerful image to overcome it: God leaping over mountains. We find this image in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the commentary on the...

CreationJosephMosesMessiah