2,514 texts · Page 34 of 53
Midrash Tehillim, a collection of homiletic interpretations on the Book of Psalms, gives us a list of ten things that are dear to the Holy One. And you might be surprised by what m...
"Fear of the Lord" – yirat Hashem – it suggests a deep reverence, a profound respect, a commitment to living in accordance with God's will. But who embodies this? Midrash Tehillim,...
It's a theme beautifully explored in Midrash Tehillim, specifically in its interpretation of Psalm 118. This isn't just about ancient history; it's about a relationship – a dialogu...
The Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary) teaches us that it's better to trust in God than to rely on the words of even our own parents. Why? Because human understanding is li...
The ancient wisdom of Midrash Tehillim, a collection of interpretations on the Book of Psalms, explores just this idea, using Psalm 119 as a springboard. "With all my heart I have ...
The ancient rabbis grappled with this too. They asked: Does God reward the righteous? And punish the wicked? And if so, how does that all work? Midrash Tehillim, a collection of ra...
We often take for granted the stability around us, the fact that the sky is (usually) above us and the ground beneath. But where does that stability come from? Midrash Tehillim, an...
The verse "You are righteous, O Lord, and Your judgments are upright" echoes throughout Jewish thought. The wisdom of King Solomon, in (Proverbs 8:8-9), tells us, "In righteousness...
That feeling of a long, hard journey – that's exactly what's captured in the Psalm of Ascents. But it's not just about the struggle; it's about the song that rises with each step. ...
They wrestled with those feelings in their writings, seeking solace and understanding. to a passage from Midrash Tehillim, a collection of interpretations on the Book of Psalms, sp...
Psalm 124, a song from the collection known as Shir Hama'alot, the Songs of Ascent, dives deep into that feeling. It's raw, visceral, and speaks directly to the heart of anyone who...
Midrash Tehillim, in its exploration of Psalm 128 – "Praiseworthy is the one who fears the Lord" – throws us a curveball. Rabbi Chayya bar Abba, quoting Ulla, makes a startling cla...
Our tradition grapples with this very question, especially when considering the immense gifts God has bestowed upon us. Midrash Tehillim, specifically in its exploration of Psalm 1...
We often take clouds for granted, but Midrash Tehillim, an ancient collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Psalms, offers us a surprisingly profound peek into their s...
We all know the story from Exodus – how Moses stretched out his hand, and the waters parted, allowing the Israelites to escape the pursuing Egyptian army. But did you know just how...
Our story today comes from Midrash Tehillim, a collection of interpretations on the Book of Psalms. It's a look at Psalm 137, which starts with the heartbreaking words: "By the riv...
The ancient texts wrestle with this idea, particularly when it comes to our relationship with the Divine. Psalm 139, a heartfelt song of David, begins with the powerful declaration...
Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Psalms, offers a profound and intimate look at this idea in its commentary on Psalm 139. This psalm, tradi...
King David knew that feeling, and he gave voice to it in the Psalms. Psalm 141, to be exact. It begins, "I call upon you, O Lord; make haste to me; give ear to my voice when I call...
This midrash, a kind of interpretive commentary, opens by linking David's words in Psalm 145 – "I will exalt you, my God the King" – to the prophet Isaiah's similar declaration in ...
They found solace and hope in unexpected places, like Psalm 146. Midrash Tehillim, the classical commentary on the Book of Psalms, dives deep into its verses, unearthing profound t...
It all comes down to this idea: God loves the stranger. But why? What's so special about the stranger? Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Psalms, o...
As we find in Midrash Tehillim, a collection of interpretations on the Book of Psalms, the answer is a dazzling, multi-layered chorus. Psalm 148 begins with a resounding call: "Hal...
It’s an idea that pulses with life throughout Jewish tradition, a concept that goes far beyond just melody. to Midrash Tehillim, specifically Midrash Tehillim 149, and see what it ...
We find clues in Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Psalms. Psalm 149 opens with the line, "For the Lord desires His people." But what does t...
It’s not random. There's a beautiful and intricate choreography to our relationship with the Divine. Take, for example, the dedication of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. The Book of N...
Sometimes, the connection isn’t immediately obvious. Take, for instance, the verses about atonement and taking a census in the book of Exodus. What’s the link? The Pesikta DeRav Ka...
The rabbis of old explored this very idea, asking profound questions about comfort, compassion, and who is truly capable of offering it. In Pesikta deRav Kahana, a collection of ra...
The Pesikta DeRav Kahana, a collection of Midrashic (rabbinic interpretive commentary) teachings, offers a fascinating insight into this very question. It all starts with a verse f...
The sages of old certainly did. A fascinating story unfolds in the Pesikta DeRav Kahana, a collection of homiletical teachings, that explores this very question. It all starts with...
The story begins with a simple question. Rabbi Jochanan, noticing something amiss, asks Eliezer if he knows the Shema' (the central Jewish prayer affirming God's oneness), the Teph...
Jewish tradition, with its rich tapestry of stories and interpretations, offers some fascinating answers. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, an early medieval collection of biblical narrative...
We get a glimpse into that mystery in Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating early medieval text that delves into the stories of the Torah with a unique perspective. Forget the simp...
We often think of creation as this grand, almost industrial process, but Jewish tradition sometimes paints a far more intimate, almost…artistic picture. to one of those beautiful, ...
Jewish tradition has some truly awe-inspiring answers. to the ancient text Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a treasure trove of Jewish lore and legend. It paints a picture of creation that'...
That feeling isn't new. Our ancestors grappled with the very same sense of being inside the universe, and ancient texts tried to make sense of that feeling in very tangible terms. ...
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating early medieval text, gives us a deeper dive. On the second day, this text tells us, the Holy One, blessed be He, didn't just create the firmam...
A fascinating and imaginative work of Jewish literature, the angels created on the second day of creation are quite the versatile bunch. When they're sent as messengers, they trans...
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating ancient text, gives us a glimpse. It tells us that when He speaks westward, His voice resonates between the Cherubim – those powerful angelic ...
It paints a picture of the divine court, a place of unimaginable power and awe. It's a scene that's both terrifying and breathtaking. Imagine this: Right next to the very throne of...
It tells us that the Chajjôth – these powerful, celestial beings that stand beside God’s throne – are constantly declaring, "Blessed be the glory of the Lord from His place" (Ezeki...
It’s a question that's haunted humanity for ages. And Jewish tradition, in its rich and imaginative way, offers some truly breathtaking answers. In the fifth chapter of Pirkei DeRa...
The ancient text Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating work of Jewish tradition, offers a powerful image. It speaks of clouds drawing water from the very depths – "He causeth the v...
You know, the Torah tells us that on the fourth day of creation, God made the two great lights (Genesis 1:16). But have you ever stopped to think about what that really meant? Acco...
It’s a fascinating dive into a world where sacred time and astronomical observation intertwined. Let’s journey back to a time before smartphones and digital calendars, a time when ...
It's all about the Tekufot (תְּקוּפוֹת) – the beginnings of the seasons. Now, the text might seem a little dense at first glance, but bear with me. It's like unlocking a secret cod...
They didn't have astrophysics, but they had something just as powerful: a rich tapestry of stories and observations. It paints a picture of the sun's path, not as a simple arc, but...
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, an ancient and fascinating Midrashic (rabbinic interpretive commentary) text, gives us a glimpse into a truly remarkable cosmology. It paints a picture of t...
