Esther

306 texts · Page 22 of 34

Explore 306 Jewish texts related to the theme of Esther, drawn from Midrash, Kabbalah, Apocrypha, and classical Jewish literature.

Covenant of Abraham and Curses

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

The text opens with a powerful promise from God to Abraham: "I will bless those who bless you, and one who curses you, I will curse, and all the families of the earth shall be bles...

Esther: Abraham and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

Our ancestors dealt with that too, as we see in the story of Abraham and his nephew Lot. The book of Genesis (12:4) tells us, "Abram went, as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot we...

Ezra in Exile

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

Our sages certainly did. to a fascinating exploration from Bereshit Rabbah, specifically section 42, where they dissect the phrase "vayhi bimei" (וַיְהִי בִּמֵי), "it was in the da...

Abram in Battle and Shabbat

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

That liminal space is rich with meaning, according to Jewish tradition. And it all starts with a single verse. In Genesis 15:12, we read: "It was as the sun was setting, and a slum...

Abraham: Shem and the Origins of the World

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

We find ourselves pondering this in Bereshit Rabbah 49, where Rabbi Eleazar raises a fascinating question. How do we understand instances in the Torah where individuals seem to be ...

Levi: Lot and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

The story of Lot and the destruction of Sodom, as explored in Bereshit Rabbah 50, is a stark reminder of how attachment to material possessions can cloud our judgment and even enda...

Destruction of Sodom and Avun

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

to a fascinating passage from Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis, that grapples with just that question in the fiery destructi...

Birth of Sarah and Esther

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

After decades of barrenness, at a very, very advanced age, she miraculously conceives and gives birth to Isaac. In Genesis 21:6, she exclaims, "God has made laughter for me; everyo...

Evil Inclination and Abraham

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

Our story begins with a simple line from Genesis 21:8: “The child grew and was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned.” Simple enough. But the Rabbis, in th...