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Jewish tradition certainly sees echoes of the past in the present, especially when it comes to empires. In Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations of the ...
The Torah uses powerful imagery to describe just such a feeling in Genesis 15:11: “Birds of prey descended upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.” But what does it really m...
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...
one such verse, rich with meaning and implication. In Genesis 15:14, God tells Abraham, "And also that nation that they will serve, I will judge, and after that they will go out wi...
We find ourselves asking this question in Bereshit Rabbah 44, a midrash – a collection of rabbinic interpretations – on the book of Genesis. The verse in question: "On that day, th...
We often think of the Torah as a clear-cut set of instructions, but sometimes, things get a little… complicated. Take the story of God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:19-21. God...
They were promised descendants as numerous as the stars, yet years went by in the land of Canaan, barren and seemingly forgotten by destiny. The Torah tells us, “Sarai, Abram’s wif...
It says, "Abram was ninety-nine years old, and the Lord appeared to Abram; He said to him: I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be faultless.” Ninety-nine years old. It’s never t...
But what does it truly signify? And why there? In Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations of Genesis, we find a fascinating discussion between Rabbi Yishm...
