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The sharp wit of the Talmudic sages, clever legal arguments, riddles, and the intellectual humor that runs through rabbinic literature.

Midrash Tanchuma, Bamidbar 3

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 1:1:) “Then the Lord spoke unto Moses in the Sinai desert, in the tent of meeting.” Before the tent of meeting was set up, He spoke with him in the bush, as stated (in Exod....

Midrash Tanchuma, Bamidbar 4

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 1:1-2) “Then the Lord spoke unto Moses in the Sinai desert […, ‘Take a census of the whole congregation of the Children of Israel…’].” This text is related (to Cant. 7:3), “...

Midrash Tanchuma, Bamidbar 15

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 3:14-15) “And the Lord spoke to Israel in the Sinai Desert, saying enroll the Children of Levi….” This text is related (to Ps. 92:13), “The righteous one shall flourish like...

Midrash Tanchuma, Bamidbar 23

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 4:18:) “Do not cut off.” Let our master instruct us: In the case of one who commits a transgression punishable with excision according to the Torah, how do they receive pard...

Midrash Tanchuma, Nasso 7

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 5:13, cont.:) “And it is hidden from her husband's eyes,” [is to] exclude one who is blind.39Sifre, Numb. 5:13 (7); Sot. 27a. Cf. Numb. R. 9:10, which explains the exception...

Midrash Tanchuma, Korach 12

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

The Seers (i.e., the prophets) were the ones who said the doubled letters, mantzepakh (mem, nun, tzadi, peh, and kaf, which are the letters that have a different form when they app...

Midrash Tanchuma, Chukat 2

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

Question:16This section is taken virtually verbatim from the Aramaic text of the She’eltot of Ahai of Shabha (d. ca. 762), Mattot, 137. Are those of the House of Israel obligated t...

Midrash Tanchuma, Chukat 23

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 21:21:) “Then Israel sent messengers.” All the words of Torah are necessary to each other, for what one covers over the other opens up.146Numb. R. 19:28. It is stated here (...

Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 2

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 22:2:) “Now Balak ben Zippor saw.” What is the meaning of “Now he saw?” He saw retribution which would come against Israel in the future.3Numb. R. 20:2. And he hated them mo...

Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 12

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 23:4:) “Then God encountered Balaam.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “You evil man! What are you doing?” (Ibid., cont.:) “And [Balaam] said unto him, ‘I have prep...

Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 20

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 25:6:) “Just then one of the Children of Israel came and brought a Midianite woman unto his brothers [before the eyes of Moses and the eyes of the whole congregation of the ...

Midrash Tanchuma, Matot 4

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

Another interpretation (of Numb. 31:2:) “Exact vengeance for the Children of Israel.” This text is related (to Job 36:7), “He does not withdraw His eyes from a righteous person […]...

Midrash Tanchuma, Masei 5

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

It is written (in Josh. 7:19), “Then Joshua said unto Achan, ‘My son, please give glory [to the Lord God of Israel and make a confession to Him; please tell me what you have done, ...

Midrash Tanchuma, Masei 9

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Numb. 34:2:) “When you come [into the land of Canaan].” This text is related (to Jer. 2:31), “You, O generation, understand the word of the Lord! Have I been a desert (hmdbr, vowe...

Midrash Tanchuma, Re'eh 16

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Deut. 14:22:) “You shall surely tithe.” This is related to the verse (in Dan. 9:7) “With You, O Lord, there is righteousness, but there is a shameful face with us, to this very da...

Midrash Tanchuma, Shoftim 17

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

And when you approach the battle, the priest shall come forward and address the people (Deuteronomy 20:2): And so [too] does it state (Deuteronomy 21:5) "The priests, the Sons of L...

Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Teitzei 10

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Deut. 25:18, cont.:) And he cut off (rt.: znb) all who were lagging behind you. He smote them with a blow to the tail (rt.: znb).51The word can also denote the penis. See PR 7:3; ...

Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Tavo 2

Midrash Tanchuma Midrash Tanchuma

(Deut. 27:9:) “Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying, ‘Pay attention and listen.’” What is the meaning of pay attention (hasket) and listen? Be silent (h...