Bereishit Rabbah 96. Shadows, true kindness, and bones rolling to the Holy Land.
25. Expanding ‘Approach’
Bereishit Rabbah 93:3-4. Two takes on what it means that Judah approached Joseph to ask for mercy.
24. Decoding Pharaoh’s Dream
Bereishit Rabbah 89:4. Who needs Joseph? The midrash offers its own take on Pharaoh’s dreams.
23. Joseph’s Coat (feat. Rabbi Laura Rumpf)
Bereishit Rabbah 88:4. The midrash discusses the meaning of ben zekunim “son of old age”; favoritism; and various meanings of ketonet passim “coat of passim”.
22. Jacob Prays
Bereishit Rabbah 75:13 Jacob prays to God as he fearfully anticipates meeting his estranged brother Esau after decades apart.
21. Place and Prayer (feat. Rabbi Laura Rumpf)
Bereishit Rabbah 68:9. Jacob encounters The Place. Also three opinions on where the daily prayers come from. We welcome guest Rabbi Laura Rumpf (and our son Ami giggles in the background.)
20. A Fair Enough Reward
Bereishit Rabbah 64:10 This midrash begins with a problem in the biblical text, solves it with a technical maneuver, and then illustrates the broader point with a story that is summed up by a parable.
19. One Who Pursues Righteousness
Bereishit Rabbah 58:9 The midrash applies a proverb to Abraham.
18. Sitting Under the Shekhinah
Bereishit Rabbah 48:7 God visits Abraham while the patriarch sits. Should he have stood up in order to acknowledge the Divine Presence?
17. Fame and Fortune
Bereishit Rabbah 39:11. Four biblical figures circulate coinage, according to the midrash.