Patriarchs

2,974 texts · Page 187 of 331

Explore 2,974 Jewish texts related to the theme of Patriarchs, drawn from Midrash, Kabbalah, Apocrypha, and classical Jewish literature.

Birth of Asher

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

Sometimes, the answer lies hidden in the stories of our ancestors, like the tale of Asher, one of Jacob's twelve sons. In Genesis 30:12, we read, "Zilpa the maidservant of Leah gav...

Leah: Rachel at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

It all comes to mind when we look at the story of Rachel and Leah, and those fateful dudaim, the mandrakes. The scene is set in Genesis 30:15. Rachel, unable to conceive, is desper...

Jacob: Shabbat and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

Take the story of Jacob, Leah, and some very potent mandrakes in Genesis 30:16-17. Seems like a simple domestic scene. But the sages of the Bereshit Rabbah (Genesis Rabbah), a clas...

Leah: Zebulun at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

We’re talking about Leah, wife of Jacob. You remember Leah: first wife, given in a switcheroo by her father Laban! By this point, she’s already given Jacob a whole bunch of sons. B...

Rachel: Sarah at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

Specifically, God remembering us. Our verse for today comes from Genesis 30:22: “God remembered Rachel, and God heeded her, and He opened her womb.” A simple verse. But like so muc...

Jacob: Rachel and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

The story of Rachel in the book of Genesis speaks directly to that feeling, and offers a powerful message of hope. The Torah tells us simply, "God remembered Rachel" (Genesis 30:22...

Laban: Kingdom of Jacob

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

The ancient rabbis certainly did, and they found wisdom in the most unexpected places – even in the words of King David and the story of Jacob and Laban. to a fascinating passage f...

Rachel's Transgression and Benjamin

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

Our story begins with Rachel, one of the matriarchs of the Jewish people. She was barren, a source of immense sorrow in a time when children were seen as a woman's greatest blessin...

Joseph: Esau and Creation

Midrash Rabbah Midrash Rabbah

That’s the kind of feeling we get when we delve into Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Genesis. Specifically, let’s look at verse 30:...