Shemot Rabbah

468 texts in Midrash Rabbah

God Humbles One and Elevates Another Like a Wheel

Shemot Rabbah 31:14

Sometimes you're on top, sometimes you're on the bottom. It's a powerful image, and one that resonates deeply in Jewish tradition. Shemot Rabbah, a classic collection of Midrash (r...

MosesKing DavidSolomonJob

You Shall Not Be as a Creditor to Him

Shemot Rabbah 31:15

It’s all about how we interact, how we support each other, and what happens when that balance is disrupted. Consider this: the Shemot Rabbah, a classic collection of Rabbinic comme...

CreationMosesKing DavidSolomon

Korah in Paradise

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

Cain and the Greed That Rushes After Wealth

Shemot Rabbah 31:17

Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic homilies on the Book of Exodus, dives deep into this idea, using the verse "If you lend money to My people" (Exodus 22:24) as a springboard ...

CreationHeavenAdam & EveNoah & Flood

How the Golden Calf Changed Everything for Israel

Shemot Rabbah 32:1

Jewish tradition is filled with these "what ifs," these pivot points where history teetered. Take the story of the Golden Calf. According to Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic...

CreationHell/GehennaAngelsAdam & Eve

God Sends an Angel After Israel's Betrayal

Shemot Rabbah 32:2

In Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, we find a fascinating exploration of this very question. It begins with a verse: "Behold, I am sen...

CreationAngelsPatriarchsJoseph

Moses Pleads With God After the Golden Calf

Shemot Rabbah 32:3

Our story begins after the devastating sin of the Golden Calf. Can you imagine the scene? Moses is up on Mount Sinai, receiving the very word of God, while down below, the Israelit...

AngelsMosesPrayerRepentance

The Angel Whose Name Is in Him Cannot Pardon

Shemot Rabbah 32:4

These questions bubble to the surface when we delve into a fascinating passage from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Exodus. It centers on a v...

HeavenAngelsMosesPrayer

A Woman Betrayed Her Lover and So Did Israel

Shemot Rabbah 32:5

to Shemot Rabbah, a compilation of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Exodus. Specifically, we're looking at section 32, where Rabbi Yitzchak opens with a verse from Jeremiah ...

AngelsJosephMosesProphecy

One Good Deed Earns You a Guardian Angel

Shemot Rabbah 32:6

It hinges on the verse, "Behold, I am sending an angel before you" (Exodus 23:20). But it doesn't stop there. It connects it beautifully with a passage from Psalms: "The angel of t...

AngelsMosesKing DavidEgypt

God Reconciles Mercy and Justice for Israel's Sake

Shemot Rabbah 32:7

It’s a question that takes us to the heart of Jewish thought, and to a fascinating passage in Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus. The pas...

CreationHeavenAngelsPatriarchs

God Almost Destroyed Israel for the Golden Calf

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

Divine Presence of Isaac

Shemot Rabbah 32:9

The Jewish tradition is rich with stories of angels, not just as winged figures, but as manifestations of the Divine Presence itself. And their role? To safeguard and redeem. to on...

CreationHeavenAngelsPatriarchs

Take Me as a Gift - Torah as God's Own Presence

Shemot Rabbah 33:1

It all starts with the verse, "Speak to the children of Israel, and they shall take Me a gift; from every man whose heart pledges, you shall collect My gift" (Exodus 25:2). But ins...

MosesKing DavidSolomonTorah

Moses Ascended Sinai and Took Torah as Captive Gift

Shemot Rabbah 33:2

Our story begins with the verse, "They shall take Me a gift" (Exodus 25:2). But where does this gift come from? Shemot Rabbah dives into this, connecting it to a verse in Psalms: "...

MosesKing DavidTorahPrayer

Rod and Serpent of Songs

Shemot Rabbah 33:3

The congregation of Israel itself has felt that way! Our passage opens with a fascinating connection between the verse "They shall take Me a gift" (Exodus 25:2), which refers to th...

MosesKing DavidSolomonTemple

Yours O Lord Is the Greatness and the Might

Shemot Rabbah 33:4

The ancient rabbis grappled with this, and in Shemot Rabbah (that's the Book of Exodus explained and expanded upon by the Rabbis) we find a fascinating exploration of this very ide...

CreationHeavenAngelsPatriarchs

Moses and Adam of Zimri

Shemot Rabbah 33:5

Our tradition teaches us that something else holds even greater worth: a good name. And it's not just about reputation, but about the power and blessing inherent in a name earned t...

Adam & EvePatriarchsMosesKing David

The Torah as a Gift That Deepens Connection With God

Shemot Rabbah 33:6

We often think of gifts in a transactional way, something given and then possessed. But what if the greatest gift is actually a deeper connection? Shemot Rabbah, a treasury of Midr...

SolomonTorahHoly Land

All 613 Commandments Given Through Moses

Shemot Rabbah 33:7

It’s a question that has captivated scholars and everyday folks for centuries. Where did they all come from? The Book of Deuteronomy (33:4) tells us, "Moses commanded us the Torah....

MosesSolomonTorahTemple

Behind the Scenes of Building the Tabernacle

Shemot Rabbah 33:8

Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, gives us a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes preparations for this monumental task. It a...

CreationPatriarchsMosesTemple

Why the Ark of the Covenant Was Made of Acacia Wood

Shemot Rabbah 34:1

It’s a question that's plagued philosophers and theologians for centuries, and it all starts, strangely enough, with a box. A very special box, mind you – the Ark of the Covenant. ...

HeavenNoah & FloodMosesKing David

Build Me a Sanctuary and I Will Dwell Among You

Shemot Rabbah 34:2

The answer, according to our Sages, might surprise you. In Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Exodus, we find a fascinating discussion about the Ark, ...

CreationNoah & FloodMosesSolomon

Building a Dwelling Place for the Divine Presence on Earth

Shemot Rabbah 34:3

And it all starts with this idea of building a home – not just for ourselves, but for the Divine. We find this idea beautifully illustrated in Shemot Rabbah, a compilation of rabbi...

Noah & FloodMosesKing DavidSolomon

Enosh and Creation of Eden

Shemot Rabbah 35:1

Jewish tradition certainly has. to a fascinating passage from Shemot Rabbah, a compilation of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, that explores just that. The text open...

CreationHeavenAdam & EveNoah & Flood

Moses and the Holy Sanctuary of Betzalel

Shemot Rabbah 35:3

It's more than just readily available lumber in the desert. According to Shemot Rabbah, it’s a lesson in mindful living, a gentle nudge towards respecting the natural world. Imagin...

MosesTempleWisdomEgypt

Moses and the Holy Sanctuary and the Tabernacle

Shemot Rabbah 35:4

It all comes down to the seemingly simple phrase, "You shall craft the boards for the Tabernacle." This comes from Shemot Rabbah, a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations o...

MosesTempleHoly Land

Edom Among the Fathers

Shemot Rabbah 35:5

It wasn't just about aesthetics or availability. According to Shemot Rabbah, it was a symbolic statement about history, power, and ultimately, redemption. We read in (Exodus 25:3),...

PatriarchsJosephMosesKing David

Moses and the Heavenly Realms and the Tabernacle

Shemot Rabbah 35:6

The ancient rabbis certainly understood that feeling. a fascinating Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary) that speaks directly to that sense of inadequacy, and how we can over...

HeavenAngelsMosesTemple

Temple and the Dreamer of Songs

Shemot Rabbah 36:1

It's more than just a source of delicious oil; it's a metaphor for the Jewish people themselves. to a fascinating passage from Shemot Rabbah 36 and unpack its rich layers of meanin...

JosephMosesKing DavidSolomon

God Does Not Need Our Light but Asks for It Anyway

Shemot Rabbah 36:2

It's not that God needs our light, the text insists. As it says, it’s not that I need the light of the candelabra." But why then does God command us to bring light? Here's the beau...

MosesKing DavidTempleProphecy

Torah as a Flourishing Olive Tree That Lights the Way

Shemot Rabbah 36:3

The ancient rabbis had something to say about that, and it all comes down to light. Shemot Rabbah, a classic collection of Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary)ic interpretati...

Hell/GehennaKing DavidSolomonTorah

Kehat at the Dawn of Creation

Shemot Rabbah 36:4

According to Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, there are four specific things that God longs for from His creation. The passage begins ...

CreationNoah & FloodMosesKing David

Aaron and His Sons Chosen to Lead Israel in Service

Shemot Rabbah 37:1

We find a powerful idea tucked within Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus. It centers around the verse: "And you, draw Aaron your brother ...

CreationJosephMosesKing David

How Aaron Reacted When Moses Smashed the Tablets

Shemot Rabbah 37:2

We find one of those moments in the story of the Golden Calf, and how Aaron, brother of Moses, reacted to it. The scene: Moses is descending from Mount Sinai, clutching the tablets...

MosesTempleRepentanceHoly Land

Rabbis — Aaron in the Days of Moses

Shemot Rabbah 37:3

It's all about second chances, about grace, and about how sometimes, the people who stumble are the very ones chosen for greatness. The verse we're focusing on is "and you, draw…ne...

MosesKing DavidTempleHoly Land

Moses and David of From

Shemot Rabbah 37:4

In Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, we find a fascinating exchange. God tells Moses, "And you, draw near to you." Now, Moses isn't exa...

MosesKing DavidJobTorah

Aaron at the Dawn of Creation

Shemot Rabbah 38:1

Shemot Rabbah, that incredible collection of Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary)im (interpretive stories) on the Book of Exodus, offers a fascinating insight into just this ...

CreationNoah & FloodMosesKing David

Adam's Sin at the Tree of Knowledge and Atonement

Shemot Rabbah 38:2

And our tradition grapples with it head-on. Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, offers a fascinating take on this very issue, drawing us ...

Adam & EveDeathAtonementHumor

Why a Bull Atones for the Sin of the Golden Calf

Shemot Rabbah 38:3

Take the story of atonement after the sin of the Golden Calf. It all starts with an offering. But what kind of offering? The verse in Exodus tells us to "Take one young bull." But ...

AngelsMosesKing DavidJob

Take Words Not Sacrifices and Return to God

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

The Secret Power Hidden in Prayer and Repentance

Shemot Rabbah 38:5

The ancient rabbis, plumbing the depths of the Torah, had a different take, and it’s one that resonates even today. We find a fascinating discussion in Shemot Rabbah, a collection ...

CreationAdam & EveMosesSolomon

Abraham and the Word That Created Everything

Shemot Rabbah 38:6

In Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, we find a fascinating exploration of this very idea. The verse "This is the matter [hadavar]" (Exo...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsJoseph

Why Aaron Was Called Holy Among All the Priests

Shemot Rabbah 38:7

It’s a fascinating subject, and one that the ancient Rabbis pondered deeply. In fact, Shemot Rabbah, a classic collection of Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary)ic interpreta...

MosesKing DavidTempleProphecy

What Gave Aaron the Right to Enter the Holy of Holies

Shemot Rabbah 38:8

What allowed him, a human, to step into the most sacred space? Shemot Rabbah, a treasure trove of biblical interpretations, explores this very question. "This is the matter," it sa...

CreationAngelsNoah & FloodJoseph

Abraham and the Patriarchs of Jacob

Shemot Rabbah 38:9

We often think of it as just a structure, but according to Jewish tradition, every single element, every color, every placement, held profound meaning. Take the Hoshen, the breastp...

PatriarchsJosephMosesEgypt

Moses and Solomon of Songs

Shemot Rabbah 39:1

But in Jewish tradition, a census wasn't just a matter of logistics. It was a delicate, even potentially dangerous, undertaking. Shemot Rabbah, a rich collection of midrash (rabbin...

MosesSolomonEstherTorah

Betzalel's Transgression and the Tabernacle

Shemot Rabbah 40:1

This week, we're diving into a fascinating passage from Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Exodus. It all starts with God choosing Betzalel to b...

CreationAdam & EveMosesJob