Midrash Tanchuma

738 texts in Midrash Tanchuma

Midrash Tanchuma, Noach 19

Midrash Tanchuma, Noach 19

Come, let us go down there and confound their language (Gen. 11:7). He confounded their speech to such a degree that no one was able to understand his companion’s speech. Originall...

TorahYetzer Hara (Evil Inclination)HumorWit

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 1

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 1

And the Lord said unto Abram: “Get thee out of thy country” (Gen. 12:1). May it please our master to teach us whether an Israelite is permitted to take upon himself the yoke of the...

TorahKingsAbrahamCommandments

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 2

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

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 3

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 3

45:11). Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear alludes to Abraham. Forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house refers to the idolaters, concerning whom i...

PatriarchsAbrahamHumorAdam & Eve

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 4

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 4

And I will bless thee and make thy name great, and be thou a blessing (Gen. 12:2). And I will bless thee implies: I Myself will bless thee. I will make thy name great indicates tha...

PrayerMiraclesBlessingPatriarchs

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 5

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 5

And there was a famine in the land (Gen. 12:10) What is stated in Scripture prior to this verse? It is written: And the Lord said to Abraham: “Get thee.” Blessed be the name of the...

PatriarchsEgyptHumorAbraham

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 6

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 6

And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel (Gen. 14:1). May it please our master to teach us when a proselyte who has been converted on the eve of the Passover is permitted to par...

TorahConversionKingsLove

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 7

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 7

And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel (Gen. 14:1). R. Tanhuma the son of Abba opened the discussion with the verse The wicked began with the sword, and have bent their bow; t...

TorahWarViolenceHumor

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 8

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 8

And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel (Gen. 14:1). May it please our master to teach us whether a slave obtains his freedom if his owner assigns all his property to him as a ...

DeathJudgmentHumorWit

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 9

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 9

And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel (Gen. 14:1). Scripture says elsewhere in reference to this verse: Through Thee do we push down our adversaries, through Thy name do we t...

PatriarchsAbrahamWarEgypt

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 10

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 10

After these things, the word of the Lord came unto Abraham, in a vision, saying: “Fear not, Abram!” (Gen. 15:1). May it please our master to teach us what (the) burnt offerings (pr...

SacrificeJudgmentDivine justiceAbraham

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 11

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 11

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram (Gen. 15:1). Scripture says elsewhere in reference to this verse: He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous; He is a shiel...

CovenantAbrahamNoah & FloodProtection

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 12

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 12

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram (Gen. 15:1). Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: The wicked earneth false wages, but he that soweth righte...

Hell/GehennaJudgmentRighteousnessTzedakah (Charity)

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 13

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 13

Prior to the verse After these things scripture states: And Abraham heard that his brother was taken captive (Gen. 14:14). Was Lot actually Abraham’s brother? No, indeed! This stat...

PatriarchsAbrahamSinAdam & Eve

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 14

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 14

The Lord came unto Abraham in a vision, saying: “fear not” (Gen. 15:1). Scripture says elsewhere in allusion to this verse: Then Thou spokest in vision to Thy godly ones, and saids...

PatriarchsProphecyAbrahamDreams & Visions

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 15

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 15

Fear not, Abraham (Gen. 15:1). Scripture states elsewhere in reference to this verse: Happy is the man that feareth always; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil (Pr...

PatriarchsYetzer Hara (Evil Inclination)Holy LandJerusalem

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 16

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 16

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine (Gen. 17:1). May it please our master to teach us whether a man is permitted to heal a wound on the Sabbath? Thus did our masters teach...

CovenantShabbatAbrahamAdam & Eve

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 17

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 17

Walk before Me, and be thou wholehearted (Gen. 17:1). Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: As for God, His way is whole (Ps. 18:31). What is the meaning of His way...

CovenantAbrahamKingsHumor

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 18

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 18

And when Abraham was ninety years old and nine (Gen. 17:1). Scripture says elsewhere in reference to this verse: Thou art fairer than the children of man; grace is poured upon thy ...

CovenantAdam & EveAbrahamWar

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 19

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 19

And I will make my covenant between Me and thee (Gen. 17:2). Scripture says elsewhere in allusion to this verse: The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and His covenant...

CovenantAdam & EveAbrahamHumor

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 20

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 20

And Abraham fell upon his face (Gen. 14:3). Prior to his circumcision, Abraham prostrated himself whenever the Shekhinah (the Divine Presence) addressed him, but after he was circu...

CovenantAdam & EveHumorKings

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 1

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 1

And the Lord appeared unto him by the terebinths of Mamre (Gen. 18:1) May it please our master to teach us: How many benedictions must a man pray each day? Thus do our masters teac...

TorahWomen of the BiblePrayerBlessing

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 2

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 2

R. Berechiah began the discussion in R. Levi’s name with the verse: Thou hast also given me Thy shield, and Thy salvation; and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy condescensi...

SacrificeJudgmentCovenant

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 3

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 3

And the Lord appeared unto him by the terebinths of Mamre (Gen. 18:1) Why did the Holy One, blessed be He, appear by the terebinths of Mamre? May the name of the Holy One, blessed ...

JudgmentSacrificeSinAdam & Eve

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 4

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 4

And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood over against him; and when he saw them, he ran to meet them (Gen. 18:1). Thereupon the blood flowed once again from hi...

JudgmentViolenceTribesAbraham

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 5

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 5

And the Lord said: “Shall I hide from Abraham that which I am doing?” (Gen. 18:17). May it please our master to teach us whether one may recite the Aramaic translation (Targum) of ...

CovenantLoveAbrahamHumor

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 6

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 6

May it please our master to teach us: If one of two sons is born to a man on Friday and the other on the Sabbath,8Either half-brother born of two different wives or twins born of o...

SacrificeCovenantBlessingAbraham

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 7

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 7

And the Lord said: “Shall I hide from Abraham?” (Gen. 18:17). Scripture states elsewhere in reference to this verse: It shall be for the filling of his belly; He shall cast the fie...

PatriarchsJobDeceptionSin

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 8

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 8

And the two angels came to Sodom at evening (Gen. 19:1). What is written before this verse? And Abraham drew near and said, “Wilt Thou sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” (G...

PatriarchsAbrahamSinHumor

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 9

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 9

And the two angels came to Sodom (Gen. 19:1). May it please our master to teach us the number of death penalties the Beth Din (the court of seventy-one members) was empowered to im...

JudgmentAdam & EveAngelsDeath

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 10

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 10

And the two angels came to Sodom (Gen. 19:1). Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore, He was turned to be th...

TorahHeavenAngelsRepentance

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 11

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 11

And the two angels came to Sodom … and he said: “Behold now, my lords, turn aside, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet” (Gen. 19:1–2). Th...

TorahAngelsAbrahamWisdom

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 12

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 12

But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, came … and they called unto Lot and said: “Where are the men?” (Gen. 19:4–5). From this incident you learn tha...

PatriarchsWomen of the BibleHumorAdam & Eve

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 13

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 13

And the Lord remembered Sarah, as he had said (Gen. 21:1). Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: God is not a man that He should lie; neither the son of man, that H...

MatriarchsProphecyAdam & EveAngels

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 14

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 14

And the Lord remembered Sarah, as he had said (Gen. 21:1). May it please our master to teach us: What is considered ona’ah (wrong doing)? Our masters teach us: A man is forbidden t...

MatriarchsAdam & EveAbrahamRain

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 15

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 15

And the Lord remembered Sarah, as he had said (Gen. 21:1). Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the Lord, have br...

MatriarchsHumorWitBible

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 16

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 16

And the Lord remembered Sarah (Gen. 21:1). Scripture states elsewhere in reference to this verse: That confirmeth the word of His servant, and performeth the counsel of His messeng...

MatriarchsHoly LandAbrahamJerusalem

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 17

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 17

And the Lord remembered Sarah (Gen. 21:1). Scripture says elsewhere in allusion to this verse: Then the nations that are left round about shall know that I, the Lord, have builded ...

HolidaysMatriarchsWomen of the BibleJudgment

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 18

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 18

And it came to pass after these words that God did prove Abraham (Gen. 22:1). What words were spoken? Ishmael had said to Isaac: I am superior to you, for I underwent circumcision ...

PatriarchsAngelsAbrahamAdam & Eve

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 19

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 19

And it came to pass after these words that God did prove Abraham (Gen. 22:1). Scripture states elsewhere in reference to this verse: Forasmuch as the king’s word hath power; and wh...

PatriarchsCommandmentsMosesLaw

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 20

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 20

And God did prove Abraham (Gen. 22:1). Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: The Lord trieth the righteous (Ps. 11:5). R. Jonah maintained: If you pound a good-qual...

PatriarchsAbrahamRighteousnessBible

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 21

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 21

And God did prove Abraham (Gen. 22:1). Observe this difference between the earlier generations and the later generations: The earlier generations were tested by the Holy One, bless...

PatriarchsTribesKingsDaniel

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 22

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 22

And He said unto him: “Abraham”; and he said: “Here am I” (Gen. 22:1). What does the expression hineni (“here am I”) signify? It signifies meekness and piety. The meekness of pious...

SacrificeCovenantAbrahamAdam & Eve

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 23

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 23

And he saw the place from afar off (Gen. 22:4). Abraham said to Isaac: “Do you see what I see?” “I behold a glorious mountain encircled by a cloud,” he replied. Then he asked his y...

SacrificeAbrahamPatriarchsHumor

Midrash Tanchuma, Chayei Sara 1

Midrash Tanchuma, Chayei Sara 1

And Abraham was old, well stricken in age (Gen. 24:1). May it please our master to teach us: What should a man do if he is riding upon an ass when the time for prayer arrives? Thus...

PatriarchsPrayerAbrahamBlessing

Midrash Tanchuma, Chayei Sara 2

Midrash Tanchuma, Chayei Sara 2

And Abraham was old, well stricken in age (Gen. 24:1). R. Joshua the son of Nahmani said: Men become old prematurely because of four things: fear, grief caused by children, a wicke...

King DavidPatriarchsWomen of the BibleAbraham

Midrash Tanchuma, Chayei Sara 3

Midrash Tanchuma, Chayei Sara 3

And Abraham was old, well stricken in age (Gen. 24:1). Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art...

MerkavahHumorHeavenKings

Midrash Tanchuma, Chayei Sara 4

Midrash Tanchuma, Chayei Sara 4

And Abraham was old, and well stricken in years (Gen. 24:1). Scripture states elsewhere in reference to this verse: A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband (Prov. 12:4). This ve...

DeathTzedakah (Charity)AbrahamMatriarchs