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Shemot Rabbah (a classical collection of Rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus) explores this very human dynamic, and it hits surprisingly close to home. The text opens wi...
It’s a question that delves into the very heart of our tradition, and Shemot Rabbah (Exodus Rabbah) offers some pretty powerful insights. Let's unpack it. The verse in question is ...
It’s a deeply human experience, and it’s one that our ancestors grappled with too, especially at Sinai. The ancient collection of rabbinic teachings known as Shir HaShirim Rabbah, ...
That’s what we’re diving into today, exploring a fascinating passage from Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Song of Songs. Specifically, we're l...
But that's the magic of rabbinic interpretation, where seemingly disparate threads of the Torah are woven together to reveal deeper truths. Rabbi Yitzḥak, as quoted in Shir HaShiri...
Specifically, the humble nut, as explored in the ancient collection of rabbinic teachings called Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a commentary on the Song of Songs. The verse in question is (...
We're diving into Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a Midrash – a collection of rabbinic teachings – on the Song of Songs. Specifically, we're looking at verse 7:8, "This, your stature, is lik...
Specifically, the verse, "I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me" (Song of Songs 7:11). But what does that desire really mean? Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic i...
The Torah portion of Vayikra (Leviticus) dives deep into the intricate world of offerings, and Vayikra Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of Leviticus, sheds light on...
In Vayikra Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Leviticus, we find a fascinating discussion about the source of illness, one that goes far beyond simple ...
And wouldn't you know it, the ancient rabbis grappled with this too. In fact, they found some pretty profound answers hidden within the verses of the Torah. We begin with a seeming...
Our tradition recognizes this struggle, and even offers some pretty ingenious battle strategies. It all starts with a verse from Leviticus (16:3): “With this Aaron shall come.” But...
And, wouldn't you know it, the Rabbis of old had some pretty interesting ideas! In Vayikra Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic homilies on the Book of Leviticus, we find a fascinating...
It’s a question that Rabbi Avin tackles in Vayikra Rabbah, and his answer is both insightful and, frankly, a little bit comforting. Rabbi Avin uses a parable. Imagine a king with a...
to a fascinating little story from Vayikra Rabbah (Leviticus Rabbah), a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Leviticus. Rabbi Berekhya, quoting Rabbi Levi, tells a...
Yes, you read that right. A cattle prod. Believe it or not, the ancient rabbis found deep spiritual meaning even in the mundane tools of everyday life. In Vayikra Rabbah, a collect...
We find a powerful starting point in (Leviticus 25:35): “If your brother will become poor, and his means fail in proximity to you; you shall support him, stranger or resident alien...
You're not alone. Our tradition recognizes this struggle, this internal tug-of-war. And it offers a powerful image to understand it. The text we're looking at today comes from Vayi...
God had just created Adam, this perfect being, in this perfect garden. What was missing? Well, the Midrash of Philo, a collection of ancient Jewish interpretations and elaborations...
The Torah tells us plainly, but the why is left hanging, ripe for interpretation. And oh, have the interpretations grown! One fascinating perspective comes to us from, well, Philo....
The verse in (Genesis 17:10) states, "And every male of you shall be circumcised, and you shall circumcise, or you shall be circumcised, in the flesh of your foreskin." Seems strai...
And the Lord said: Behold, man has become one of us (Gen. 3:22). Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: Behold, this only have I found, that God made man upright (Ec...
And in process of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground (Gen. 4:3). The process of time (lit. “end of days”) may imply either the end of a year, the end...
And God spoke to Noah, saying: “Go forth from the ark” (Gen. 8:15). May our master instruct us whether one is permitted to place saliva upon an ailing eye on the Sabbath. R. Hiyya ...
And Noah, the husbandman, began and planted a vineyard (Gen. 9:20). Noah degraded himself when he began to till the soil. R. Judah the son of R. Shalum said: At first Noah was call...
And he planted a vineyard (Gen. 9:20). Noah was one of four men who introduced four things. Noah introduced planting, as it is written: And he planted a vineyard; cursing when he s...
Come, let us go down there and confound their language (Gen. 11:7). He confounded their speech to such a degree that no one was able to understand his companion’s speech. Originall...
Fear not, Abraham (Gen. 15:1). Scripture states elsewhere in reference to this verse: Happy is the man that feareth always; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil (Pr...
And it came to pass that when Isaac was old (Gen. 27:1). May it please our master to teach us whether a blind man is permitted to stand before the ark to lead the congregation in p...
And Isaac trembled very exceedingly (Gen. 27:33). Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord sh...
And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came from Padan-aram (Gen. 35:9). May it please our master to teach us: What is the punishment meted out to one who does not permit the p...
And it came to pass after these things (Gen. 40:1). May our master teach us which men are counted among the most faithful. Thus did our master teach us: There are three men who are...
Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon (Exod. 20:23). A logical conclusion may be derived from these words. If in regard to ...
It has been taught: thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart (Lev. 19:17). You might say that this means you must not strike him or curse him. However, since Scripture says in ...
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down (Exod. 32:1). The word boshesh (“delayed”) indicates that it was the sixth hour of the day. Forty thousand people had assemb...
Hew these two tablets of stone (Exod. 34:1). When did Moses descend from the mountain? R. Judah the son of Shalum said: Moses remained on the mountain with the Holy One, blessed be...
