Divine justice

1,478 texts · Page 31 of 31

How the rabbis wrestled with the problem of suffering, the prosperity of the wicked, and the justice of God.

Guardian Angels

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

Like there's someone... or something... watching over you? Well, Jewish tradition has a fascinating answer for that feeling: guardian angels. But these aren't the cherubic, winged ...

Midrash Tanchuma, Bereshit 8

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

And the Lord said: Behold, man has become like one of us (Gen. 3:22). May our master teach us the punishment inflicted upon one who speaks evil?29Speaking evil (slander) is conside...

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 10

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

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...

Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 12

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

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...

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayetzei 7

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

And God remembered Rachel (Gen. 30:22). Scripture states elsewhere: He executeth justice for the oppressed (Ps. 146:7). This verse alludes to Israel. R. Phinehas the priest, the so...

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayetzei 9

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

And God remembered Rachel (Gen. 30:22). This bears upon what is stated in the verse The children of Israel and the children of Judah are oppressed together; and all that took them ...

Midrash Tanchuma, Shemot 13

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

3:1). R. Levi stated: Everyone about whom it is written was, his beginning and his end were proper. R. Johanan said: Everyone about whom it says was, fed and sustained others. Othe...

Midrash Tanchuma, Bo 11

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

Sanctify unto me all the firstborn (Exod. 13:2). This verse illustrates one of the thirteen rules by which the Torah is interpreted.12R. Ishmael’s thirteen hermeneutical rules; see...

Midrash Tanchuma, Beshalach 25

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

Then came Amalek and fought with Israel in Rephidim (Exod. 17:8). R. Eliezer the son of Hisma said: This verse should be understood and interpreted in relation to the verse quoted ...

Midrash Tanchuma, Yitro 2

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

18:1). Some hear and lose (their reward), while others hear and are rewarded. Joash heard and lost (his reward), just as it is said: Then the king hearkened unto him (II Chron. 24:...

Midrash Tanchuma, Yitro 16

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

I am the Lord thy God (Exod. 20:1). May it please our master to teach us: If a fire breaks out in a house in which there is a scroll of the Torah and other books, may their owner s...

Midrash Tanchuma, Mishpatim 1

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

21:1). Scripture states (elsewhere in reference to this verse): The strength also of the king who loveth justice. Thou hast established equity and righteousness in Jacob (Ps. 99:4)...

Midrash Tanchuma, Mishpatim 2

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

21:1). Scripture says elsewhere: The king by justice establisheth the land, but the man who sets himself apart (terumah)1The word terumah means “something set aside,” as with the p...

Midrash Tanchuma, Mishpatim 3

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

21:1). R. Abahu said in the name of R. Yosé the son of Zimra: Whenever the word eleh (“these”) is written, the lack of importance of the earlier generations is indicated, but whene...

Midrash Tanchuma, Mishpatim 6

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

A question: An Israelite involved in a litigation with his neighbor, is prohibited from going to a heathen judge for judgment,4See Rashi on the beginning of Exod. 21:1 and above Ta...

Midrash Tanchuma, Mishpatim 11

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

If thou lend money to any of My people (Exod. 22:24). The prophet Jeremiah said: Refuse silver shall men call them (Jer. 6:30). You find that when Israel was exiled from Jerusalem,...

Midrash Tanchuma, Mishpatim 16

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

If thou at all take thy neighbor’s garment to pledge (Exod. 22:25). The Holy One, blessed be He, declared: How guilty are your sins before Me, yet I have been patient with you. And...

Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Tisa 2

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel (Exod. 30:12). Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: Thy navel is like a round goblet, thy belly is like a heap o...

Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Tisa 3

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel (Exod. 30:12). R. Tanhuma the son of Abba began the discussions with the verse Sweet is the sleep of a laboring man, whether he e...

Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Tisa 18

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

And he gave unto Moses, etc. (Exod. 31:18). Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: Thy lips, O my bride, drop honey (Song 4:11). R. Abba the son of Judah said: The c...

Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Tisa 37

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

And it came to pass, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai … Moses knew not that the skin of his face sent forth beams (Exod. 34:29). Why did Moses merit the beams of glory? Our sa...

Midrash Tanchuma, Tazria 6

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Lev. 13:2:) “When anyone has [on the skin of his flesh a swelling or a sore or a bright spot].” This text is related (to (Job 38:2)5), “Who split open a channel for the flow (shtp...

Midrash Tanchuma, Tazria 8

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Lev. 13:2:) “When anyone has on the skin of his flesh.” This text is related (to Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful [is that one].”27In the biblical context THAT ONE is the nation ...

Midrash Tanchuma, Metzora 6

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Lev. 15:25:) “And when a woman has had a discharge of blood for many days.” But are there not seven days in a menstrual period? So why did it call them “many days?” Simply because...

Midrash Tanchuma, Kedoshim 1

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Lev. 19:2:) “Speak unto the [whole congregation] of the Children of Israel, and say unto them, ‘You shall be holy.’” This text is related (to Is. 5:16), “The Lord of hosts has bee...

Midrash Tanchuma, Nasso 13

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 7:1:) “So it came to pass on the day that Moses had finished.” This text is related (to Prov. 27:18), “The one who tends a fig tree shall eat its fruit.” The Holy One, bless...

Midrash Tanchuma, Chukat 24

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 21:25:) “Israel took all these towns….” This text is related (to Is. 61:8), “Because I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery with a burnt offering.”152Numb. R. 19:30. The Ho...

Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 3

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 22:4:) “So Moab said unto the elders of Midian.” What is the relevance of [mentioning] the elders of Midian here?7Numb. R. 20:4. It is simply that they saw Israel conquering...

Midrash Tanchuma, Masei 2

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

"These are the journeys of the Children of Israel" (Numbers 33:1). This is what is stated in the verse (Psalms 77:21), "You led (nachita) Your people like a flock through Moshe and...

Midrash Tanchuma, Masei 3

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 33:1:) “These are the stages of the Children of Israel.” [The matter] is comparable to a king whose son was ill.4Numb. R. 23:3. He brought him to a certain place to heal him...

Midrash Tanchuma, Vaetchanan 3

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Deut. 3:23:) “I besought the Lord.” This text is related (to I (Kings 8:30) // II Chron. 6:21), “And may You harken unto the prayer of Your servant and to his supplication.” See, ...

Midrash Tanchuma, Eikev 2

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Deut. 7:12:) “And it shall come to pass if you heed [these statutes].” This text is related (to Prov. 5:6), “She does not steer a straight path of life; her ways wander, and she d...

Midrash Tanchuma, Shoftim 1

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Deut. 16:18:) “[You shall appoint] judges and law officers.” This text is related (to Ps. 147:19), “He declares His words to Jacob, His statutes and His ordinances to Israel.” “Hi...

Midrash Tanchuma, Shoftim 7

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Deut. 16:19:) “You shall not turn aside justice; you shall not show partiality.” [Here is] a warning for the prince not to place one suited to be low, high; and one suited to be h...

Midrash Tanchuma, Shoftim 8

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Deut. 16:19, cont.:) “You shall not take a bribe.” When the judge sets his heart on a bribe, he becomes blind to justice and he is unable to judge [a case] honestly. R. Eliezer sa...

Midrash Tanchuma, Shoftim 15

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

When you go out to war, etc. (Deuteronomy 20:1): What is written above the matter? "And the judges shall make a thorough investigation" (Deuteronomy 19:18). From when the judges ex...

Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Tavo 3

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

And it shall be if you truly listen (Deuteronomy 28:1): This is that which was stated in the verse (Song of Songs 1:3), "Your ointments yield a sweet fragrance, your name is like f...

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayeilech 1

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

And Moshe went and spoke these words to all of Israel: The expression "went" is nothing but [an indication of] rebuke, as it is stated (Psalms 46:9), "Go and see the wonders of God...