Parshat Vayishlach

4,614 related texts · Page 85 of 97

Jacob wrestles with the angel, his reunion with Esau, the incident at Shechem, Rachel's death, and the genealogy of Esau. Genesis 32:4-36:43.

The Death Of Serah Bat Asher

Midrash Aggadah Targum Pseudo-Yonathan on Genesis 46:17

We hear their names, perhaps a small story or two, and then...silence. But sometimes, just sometimes, the silence breaks and a legend blossoms. Take Serah bat Asher, for example. W...

CreationHeavenTorahPatriarchs

How Moses Survived

Midrash Aggadah Makhon Siftei Tzaddikim on Genesis 1:16

That’s hardcore. What's the secret? Well, Jewish tradition offers a fascinating explanation. It wasn’t just about toughing it out. It goes much deeper. The Makhon Siftei Tzaddik (a...

CreationAngelsHeavenTorah

The Gates Of Eden

Talmud Aggadah Tamid 32b

The Talmud (B. Tamid 32b) recounts a fascinating tale of his encounter with the Garden. It all started during Alexander's travels. He stopped by a seemingly ordinary stream, but so...

AngelsAdam & EveNoah & FloodDeath

The Celestial Temple

Talmud Aggadah Taanit 5a; Hagigah 12b

Jewish tradition certainly hints at it, especially when we talk about the Temple. We all know about the Temple in Jerusalem. But did you know there’s a celestial version, a Beit Ha...

CreationAngelsHeavenAdam & Eve

The Mystery Of The Cherubim

Talmud Aggadah Bava Batra 99a

We hear whispers of incredible things, and today, let's focus on one of the most intriguing: the cherubim. These weren't your chubby, winged babies from Renaissance art. These cher...

CreationAngelsDemonsAdam & Eve

Abraham And The Alphabet

Midrash Aggadah Pesikta Rabbati 33:2

It sounds like something out of a fantastical story, but according to tradition, there was a time when the Hebrew alphabet itself was called upon to do just that. Imagine this: God...

CreationTorahPatriarchsAdam & Eve

Adam's Diamond

Midrash Aggadah Beit HaMidrash (Jellinek) 5:22

We often picture the shame, the hardship... but what about the stuff? Did he get to take anything with him? Well, according to one fascinating folktale recounted in Howard Schwartz...

CreationAngelsDemonsAdam & Eve

How Cain Was Conceived

Midrash Aggadah Targum Pseudo-Yonathan on Genesis 4:1

Jewish tradition offers some truly wild explanations, digging into the murky origins of good and evil itself. One fascinating, and frankly disturbing, thread revolves around Cain's...

CreationAngelsDemonsHeaven

The Giant Og

Midrash Aggadah Targum Pseudo-Yonathan on Genesis 14:13

According to Tree of Souls, when Noah was loading up the ark, Og made a deal. He swore to Noah and his sons that if they’d let him come along, he’d be their servant forever. Now, s...

CreationHeavenTorahPatriarchs

How The Resurrection Will Take Place

Midrash Aggadah Eliyahu Zuta 20:31-31

We find hints and glimpses throughout our sacred texts, and when you piece them together, a fascinating picture emerges. One particularly vivid description comes from Eliyahu Zuta....

CreationAngelsMessiahAdam & Eve

The Descent Of The Heavenly Temple

Midrash Aggadah Pirkei Mashiah in Beit ha-Midrash 3:69

A world where the divide between heaven and earth blurs, and the sacred becomes tangibly real. What if I told you that in Jewish tradition, there's a vision of the future where the...

AngelsHeavenMessiahTorah

The Fathers Address The Messiah

Midrash Aggadah Pesikta Rabbati 36:2

It’s a question that’s captivated Jewish thinkers for centuries. And Jewish tradition actually gives us a glimpse, a stunning vision of just such an encounter. Imagine this: it's t...

MessiahPatriarchsAdam & EveNoah & Flood

Where Is Wisdom Found and How Do We Seek It

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Mishlei 1:1

Our tradition teaches that wisdom isn't just something you're born with. It's something you actively seek, something you pray for, something you might even… fast for. The Midrash M...

CreationHeavenAdam & EveNoah & Flood

Three Lost Treasures That Returned to Their Place

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Mishlei 23:1

(Proverbs 23:5) speaks to this feeling, saying, "When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings." But what does this really mean? One fascinating...

CreationHeavenNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Solomon Inherits David's Hunger for Wisdom

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Mishlei 23:2

That feeling, amplified a thousandfold, is at the heart of our story today, drawn from the ancient wisdom of Midrash Mishlei, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book o...

PatriarchsKing DavidSolomonWisdom

The Woman of Valor and the Secrets of Creation

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Mishlei 31:5

It's more than just a nice sentiment; it's a springboard for some incredible midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary)ic interpretations. The Midrash Mishlei, a collection of inte...

CreationHeavenAdam & EveNoah & Flood

Samuel — Kingdom of David

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 1:2

Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Psalms, dives deep into that question. And it might surprise you. One interpretation points directly to Ki...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsJoseph

Adam and the Patriarchs

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 1:4

And, believe it or not, the Book of Psalms, or Tehillim in Hebrew, tackles this very idea! Our journey begins with Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the...

Adam & EvePatriarchsMosesKing David

David Asks God to Push Him Toward Righteousness

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 4:6

Like you're saying, "Hey, I need a little help here... maybe even a big push?" Well, you're not alone. to a fascinating little corner of Jewish thought from Midrash Tehillim, a col...

CreationPatriarchsKing DavidHoly Land

David — World to Come

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 5:4

Ever find yourself reading the Psalms and wondering, "What's really going on here?" We do too! to a fascinating passage from Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretati...

CreationPatriarchsMosesKing David

Gog and the Patriarchs

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 8:6

Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Psalms, offers a fascinating glimpse into this very idea, particularly in its eighth section. Our journey ...

PatriarchsProphecyHoly LandJudgment

David Calls on Heaven's Warriors for Help

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 9:5

And it’s in his words, preserved in the Book of Psalms, that we often find solace and, perhaps surprisingly, a roadmap through those very times.Specifically, we're looking at Midra...

HeavenAngelsKing DavidTorah

Elijah's Fire and the Promise of Future Prophecy

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 10:8

It’s a question that’s plagued humanity for ages, and Midrash Tehillim 10 grapples with it in a way that’s both challenging and ultimately hopeful. The midrash (rabbinic interpreti...

PatriarchsElijahDanielTemple

Samuel at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 13:2

How long will You hide Your face from me?" This verse, a raw expression of pain and longing, is at the heart of a beautiful passage in Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic in...

CreationPatriarchsMosesKing David

Wisdom of Nabal

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 14:4

Take Nabal, from the Book of Samuel. His name alone, seemingly simple, becomes a window into understanding his nature. But what does Nabal mean? Midrash Tehillim, a collection of i...

PatriarchsSolomonProphecyHoly Land

Yaakov's Transgression

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 14:8

After all, they each played such pivotal roles in our history. But Midrash Tehillim, in its unique way, actually tackles this very idea. The Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commenta...

PatriarchsMessiahProphecyHoly Land

Abraham and Creation of Joseph

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 15:4

The 15th chapter of Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Psalms, offers a fascinating exploration of just that. It's not a simple checklist, but a ta...

CreationPatriarchsJosephMoses

David Called Himself a Stain and the Parable of Two Coins

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 17:1

The Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Psalms, offers a powerful glimpse into David's humility. It tells of David declaring, "I am a stain." A powe...

PatriarchsMosesKing DavidSolomon

Pharaoh's Journey

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 18:12

Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Psalms, offers a fascinating glimpse into this divine-human "battle" during the Exodus. It's not just abou...

CreationHeavenAngelsMoses

Why the Rabbis Said God's Way Is Always Perfect

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 18:24

The passage opens with a powerful statement: "The Lord's way is perfect." Okay, sounds good. But what does that mean? Rav, a prominent Babylonian Amora (sage) of the early 3rd cent...

PatriarchsKing DavidMessiahHoly Land

God Himself at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 20:1

They're thousands of years old, yet they speak to our struggles, our joys, our fears as if they were written yesterday. Today, we're diving into Midrash Tehillim 20, a fascinating ...

CreationAngelsAdam & EveNoah & Flood

The Cemetery That Means the Promised Land Is Close

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 20:2

Midrash Tehillim, a collection of homiletical interpretations of the Book of Psalms, offers a powerful and surprisingly comforting image for just such a moment, drawing on Psalm 20...

PatriarchsKing DavidHoly Land

Isaac and the Patriarchs of Hama

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 20:4

Midrash Tehillim, a fascinating collection of interpretations on the Book of Psalms, offers some intriguing insights. It delves into the meaning behind Psalm 20, verse 4: "Remember...

PatriarchsKing DavidTorahTemple

Isaiah — Moses and Divine Judgment

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 21:4

It all starts with a verse from (Psalm 21:2), "You have given him the desire of his heart." But what is the desire of his heart? The Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary) asks...

Hell/GehennaAngelsMosesKing David

My God My God Why Have You Forsaken Me

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 22:18

Psalm 22, a deeply personal and powerful lament, starts with that very cry. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" This isn't just a one-time outburst. Midrash Tehillim, a col...

PatriarchsElijahSoulHoly Land

God Prepared a Table of Manna in the Wilderness

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 23:6

"He prepares a table before me." What does that even mean in the context of a comforting psalm? Midrash Tehillim connects this to the manna, that miraculous food that sustained the...

PatriarchsMatriarchsMosesKing David

Who Laid the Foundations of the Earth and Why

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 24:3

We often take for granted the ground beneath our feet, the sky above, everything in between. But Jewish tradition offers a powerful perspective: it all belongs to God. As it says i...

CreationHeavenAngelsMoses

The Secret Path to a Deeper Bond with God

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 25:10

It’s a question that’s echoed through generations, a yearning to connect with the Divine on a deeper level. Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Psal...

CreationAdam & EveNoah & FloodPatriarchs

What Happens to Our Souls When Justice Comes

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 26:7

But it's a question that ancient Jewish texts grapple with, revealing profound insights into justice, repentance, and the ultimate fate of our souls. to a passage from Midrash Tehi...

CreationHeavenNoah & FloodPatriarchs

David Dedicates His Heart to the Future Temple

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 30:1

Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Psalms, dives deep into this idea. In one particular passage (Midrash Tehillim 30), it explores the connec...

PatriarchsKing DavidTorahTemple

The Power of Trusting God in Uncertain Times

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 31:1

Midrash Tehillim, for those unfamiliar, is a collection of rabbinic commentaries on the Book of Psalms, drawing out deeper meanings and connecting the verses to other parts of the ...

CreationHell/GehennaAngelsMoses

Isaiah — Moses and the Patriarchs

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 31:2

The verse that kicks it all off is from (Psalm 71:1): "In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge. Let me never be put to shame." But the midrash, the interpretive story, doesn't just tak...

PatriarchsMosesKing DavidMessiah

Why the Righteous Will Sing a New Song to God

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 33:1

Midrash Tehillim, a collection of Rabbinic commentaries on the Book of Psalms, dives deep into this idea, exploring how the voices of the righteous resonate with the Divine. "The r...

CreationHell/GehennaPatriarchsMoses

David Begs God to Take Up Shield and Fight

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 35:2

King David knew the feeling. He cries out to God, “Take up shield and buckler, and rise up to help me!” (Psalms 35:2). It's a powerful image. David picturing God as a warrior, arme...

AngelsKing DavidProphecyPrayer

Kingdom of David of Abraham

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 40:4

Midrash Tehillim, a collection of interpretations on the Book of Psalms, points us to King David as the ultimate example of repentance, of teshuvah (repentance). It says, "Many wil...

CreationNoah & FloodPatriarchsMoses

Haggai Among the Fathers

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 47:2

The ancient sages felt that way too. And they looked to the future, to a time when things would be set right. Midrash Tehillim, a collection of interpretations on the Book of Psalm...

PatriarchsMosesKing DavidDaniel

God Uproots the Wicked Who Trusted in Wealth

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 52:6

The ancient sages wrestled with these questions too. And in Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic commentaries on the Book of Psalms, we find a fascinating perspective, partic...

CreationHell/GehennaPatriarchsMoses

Ezra at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tehillim 57:2

It might sound audacious, but our tradition actually suggests there are times when the "lower court" – that's us, down here – and the Holy One, blessed be He, are in a bit of a… di...

CreationHeavenAngelsNoah & Flood