Parshat Vayigash

3,287 related texts · Page 66 of 69

Judah's plea for Benjamin, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, and Jacob's family descends to Egypt. Genesis 44:18-47:27.

God Stays Close Even When Israel Is Enslaved

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 2:15

But have you ever considered how God treats us? Devarim Rabbah, a collection of homilies on the Book of Deuteronomy, offers a powerful contrast. It says, "That has God near it." If...

JosephKing DavidHoly LandEgypt

The Devastating Consequences of Wicked Deeds

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 2:20

This is a theme that echoes powerfully through Jewish tradition, and it's something we see vividly in the Devarim Rabbah. This particular passage delves into the profound consequen...

CreationHeavenAngelsPatriarchs

Moses and the Establishment of Cities of Refuge

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 2:29

Today, we're diving into a fascinating passage from Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Deuteronomy, that explores just that, through the lens o...

CreationAngelsPatriarchsMoses

What Israel's Desire for Meat Reveals About Freedom

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 4:9

The ancient rabbis pondered this very idea, using a seemingly simple verse about eating meat to unlock profound insights about freedom, desire, and divine provision. It all starts ...

Adam & EveJosephMosesKing David

Miriam's Transgression

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 6:8

They’re more than just tales; they're lenses through which we understand ourselves and the world. Today, let’s peer through one of those lenses, focusing on the biblical figure of ...

JosephMosesRepentanceEgypt

Why Moses Surpassed Every Great Figure Before Him

Midrash Rabbah Devarim Rabbah 11:3

The verse in question comes from (Proverbs 31:29): "Many women have performed valiantly, but you have surpassed them all." But who is the "you" being referred to here? According to...

CreationHeavenAngelsAdam & Eve

Caleb and the Dreamer

Midrash Rabbah Kohelet Rabbah 8:2

A time for everything, as the saying goes. But what does that really mean? Well, one fascinating interpretation comes to us from Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin, found within Kohelet Rab...

JosephKing DavidSolomonProphecy

The Error That Emerges From Before the Ruler

Midrash Rabbah Kohelet Rabbah 5:1

Kohelet Rabbah, a collection of Rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Ecclesiastes, explores this very human experience with the verse, "There is an evil that I have seen under t...

CreationAngelsPatriarchsMatriarchs

Young Moses Witnesses the Suffering of His People

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 1:28

It's easy to picture the pyramids, the scorching sun, and the relentless labor. But what about the small acts of defiance, the glimmers of hope that hinted at a future redemption? ...

JosephMosesSoulHoly Land

Blessing of Moses

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 1:29

But as is so often the case with Torah, the rabbis unpack layers upon layers of meaning. What did it really mean when it says "he saw that there was no man"? The ancient rabbis of ...

JosephMosesMiraclesDivine Names

The Well Where Moses Met His Future Wife

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 1:32

Like a well, for instance. It's more than just a source of water; it’s often a meeting place, a place of destiny. Our sages point this out in Shemot Rabbah, noting how the well is ...

CreationHeavenAdam & EvePatriarchs

What God Saw and Knew About Israel's Suffering

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 1:36

to one, from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus. The verse we're looking at is simple, yet profound: “God saw the children of Israel, and...

Noah & FloodPatriarchsMosesKing David

Moses and the Heavenly Realms of Abba

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 3:1

In the book of Exodus, Moses has that very experience. But it's not quite what you might expect. The text tells us, "He said: I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the G...

HeavenHell/GehennaPatriarchsMoses

The God of Your Fathers Has Sent Me to You

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 3:7

The verse in question comes from (Exodus 3:15): "God said further to Moses: So shall you say to the children of Israel: The Lord, the God of your fathers, God of Abraham, God of Is...

PatriarchsMosesHoly LandEgypt

Moses and Creation of Israelites

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 3:12

Turns out, Moses did. And, according to the Shemot Rabbah, a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, it didn't go unnoticed. The story begins, as we k...

CreationCreaturesAdam & EvePatriarchs

Why Moses Was Raised Outside His Father's House

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 5:2

It wasn't just a random event, a quirk of fate. According to Rabbi Ḥama, there was a very specific, almost divinely orchestrated reason. Imagine Moses growing up comfortably in his...

JosephMosesDivine NamesHoly Land

Moses and the Dreamer of Aaron

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 5:16

That feeling, that frustration, it's ancient. It's woven into the very fabric of our stories. Think about Moses and Aaron standing before Pharaoh, demanding freedom for the Israeli...

JosephMosesTempleEgypt

Moses and the Dreamer of Akiva

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 10:4

In the Book of Exodus, we read, "The Lord said to Moses: Say to Aaron: Extend your hand with your staff over the rivers, over the canals, and over the pools, and cause frogs to asc...

JosephMosesHoly LandEgypt

Why Aaron Not Moses Struck the Dust for Lice

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 10:7

We find ourselves in Shemot Rabbah, a treasure trove of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus. The verse in question is (Exodus 8:12): “The Lord said to Moses: Say to Aaro...

DemonsJosephMosesEgypt

Moses in Battle of Aaron

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 11:5

It's easy to see them as just divine punishment, but the rabbis found layers of meaning, justice, and even hidden miracles within each one. Let's look at the plague of boils as des...

HeavenJosephMosesMiracles

God Reaches From Earth to Heaven to Send the Hail

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 12:3

In the book of Exodus, we read, "The Lord said to Moses: Extend your hand toward the heavens, and there will be hail throughout the land of Egypt…" (Exodus 9:22). It seems straight...

CreationJosephMosesKing David

Passing Down the Story of the Plagues

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 13:4

It wasn't just about remembering the events, but about understanding the deeper meaning behind them. The Torah tells us, "And so that you will relate in the ears of your son, and o...

JosephMosesTorahProphecy

Why God Used the Plague of Darkness to Hide Israel's Dead

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 14:3

It's easy to see them as simply divine punishments, but Jewish tradition often delves deeper, searching for layers of meaning and nuance. Let's look at the plague of darkness, as e...

CreationJosephMosesKing David

The Song of Songs as an Allegory for the Exodus

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 15:4

The ancient Rabbis felt that way about the Exodus, the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt. And they found echoes of that feeling in the most unexpected places, even in the Son...

CreationNoah & FloodPatriarchsMoses

Birth of He

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 15:13

The ancient rabbis felt that way about the Israelites in Egypt. : generation after generation born into slavery. It's a crushing weight. But what if, suddenly, that debt was cancel...

CreationJosephMosesSolomon

Lord and the Angels

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 15:15

The story of the Exodus, as told in Shemot Rabbah, the compilation of rabbinic sermons on the Book of Exodus, gives us a fascinating glimpse into this idea, focusing on the final p...

AngelsAdam & EveJosephMoses

This Month Shall Be Yours and Why the Calendar Matters

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 15:25

The book of Shemot Rabbah, a compilation of rabbinic interpretations on the book of Exodus, offers a stunning insight into just how crucial the calendar is. It all begins with the ...

PatriarchsMosesKing DavidTorah

The Humble Hyssop That Holds a Cosmic Secret

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 17:1

Take, for instance, the humble hyssop. Hyssop – that little plant we read about in the story of the Exodus. It doesn't seem like much, but according to Shemot Rabbah, it's a key to...

CreationHeavenJosephMoses

God Passes Over and the Destroyer Cannot Enter

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 17:5

The ancient texts offer some fascinating perspectives. Let's look at (Exodus 12:23), the verse describing the pasach, the Passover: "The Lord will pass to smite Egypt, and He will ...

CreationAngelsNoah & FloodJoseph

What Happened at Midnight When the Firstborn Died

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 18:2

It's not just about spooky stories! to a fascinating explanation from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Exodus, that sheds light on this very q...

JosephMosesKing DavidSoul

David and the Dreamer

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 18:9

Take the Exodus, for example. That final, earth-shattering plague—the death of the firstborn—struck at midnight. But why? Why not high noon? What’s so special about that inky black...

JosephKing DavidHoly LandEgypt

Passover Night When God Performs Miracles

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 18:12

It's more than just matzah and retelling the Exodus story. The Torah itself calls it a "night of vigil" – leil shimurim (Exodus 12:42). But what exactly does that mean? What is God...

CreationJosephMosesElijah

Moses and the Dreamer of Meeting

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 19:3

Our tradition suggests he did, and in a fascinating way: it reveals moments where Moses' own reasoning aligned perfectly with the divine will. The Shemot Rabbah, a collection of ra...

JosephMosesTorahProphecy

The Firstborn's Living Connection to the Exodus

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 19:8

It goes all the way back to the Exodus, to the very night God spared the Israelite firstborn while striking down the Egyptians. But there’s more to it than just remembering a histo...

JosephMosesMiraclesHoly Land

Moses Led Israel Out but Never Reached the Land

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 20:8

That bittersweet feeling is ancient, deeply human, and, believe it or not, it echoes in the story of Moses and the Exodus. : Moses. MOSES! The guy who stood up to Pharaoh, who part...

JosephMosesHoly LandEgypt

Why God Led Israel on the Roundabout Desert Path

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 20:12

The ancient rabbis grappled with this very feeling when they looked at the Exodus story. The Torah tells us that God "did not lead them" – lo naham – after Pharaoh finally let the ...

JosephMosesHoly LandEgypt

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

The First Song Ever Sung From Creation Until the Sea

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:4

It all starts with the verse, "Then Moses…sang" (Exodus 15:1). The Rabbis connect this to (Proverbs 31:26), "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her...

CreationAngelsAdam & EvePatriarchs

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

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

The Song at the Sea as a Declaration of Purity

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 23:12

Shemot Rabbah, a rich collection of Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary)ic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, offers a powerful reading of the verse "Then Moses…sang [thi...

CreationHell/GehennaNoah & FloodJoseph

Three Days Without Water in the Wilderness of Shur

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 24:1

The Israelites, fresh from their miraculous escape from Egypt, certainly did. The book of Exodus tells us, "Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went out to the wilderness of...

AngelsJosephMosesKing David

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 — 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

Israel Complains of Thirst and God Provides Water

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 26:2

The Israelites certainly did. In the book of Exodus, right after the incredible miracle of being freed from Egypt, they find themselves wandering in the desert, thirsty and complai...

Hell/GehennaJosephMosesMysticism

Yitro and the Fires of Gehenna of Amalek

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 27:6

He appears in the narrative, offers Moses some crucial advice, and then… well, what do we really know about him? The Book of Exodus tells us, “Yitro heard…” (Exodus 18:1). But hear...

Hell/GehennaPatriarchsMosesKing David

Why God Spoke to Moses From the Mountain

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 28:2

And the Shemot Rabbah, a classical collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, gives us some fascinating answers. "The Lord called to him from the mountain, sayin...

Adam & EvePatriarchsMosesKing David

God Hears Every Voice Crying Out at Once

Midrash Rabbah Shemot Rabbah 28:4

Can you picture them all crying out at the same moment? Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, tells us that God hears them all concurrently...

CreationAdam & EveJosephMoses