Bereishit Rabbah 30:8 Noah was perfect in his generation. What’s the most interesting word in this sentence? Well, this midrash opts for “was”, leading us to surprising wisdom.
15. Genesis in Every Generation (Bereishit Rabbah 2:3)
Bereishit Rabbah 2:3 “The earth was formless and void…” (Genesis 1:2-5). Rabbi Yehudah bar Simone interpreted this reading as applying to [future] generations. This midrash explores references to later generations within the first few lines of Genesis.
12. Jacob: The End Draws Close
Bereishit Rabbah 96:1. In the Torah scroll, every parashah begins on a new line or after a significant space from the last word of the previous parashah. Vayechi, however, the final parashah of Genesis, begins immediately after the last word of Vayigash. Our midrash offers three suggestions for what meaning we can make of such a “closed off” text.
Judah and Joseph: The Meaning of Approach
Bereishit Rabbah 93:4 Davar Acher (Another Interpretation): “Then Judah approached [Joseph]” (Genesis 44:18). It is written, “Counsel is like deep waters […]
Read moreJoseph and the Cupbearer: Memory and Hope
Bereishit Rabbah 88:7 [Biblical Story (Genesis 40:20-23): On the third day – his birthday – Pharaoh made a banquet for all […]
Read moreJacob and Naomi: People Over Place
Bereishit Rabbah 68:6 “Jacob departed” (Genesis 28:10). Did no one depart from there other than he?! Why, many donkey-drivers departed, […]
Read moreRebecca: In Search of Answers
Bereishit Rabbah 63:6 [Biblical Story (Genesis 25:21-26): Isaac pleaded with Adonai on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and […]
Read moreSarah and Rebecca: Sunset, Sunrise
Bereishit Rabbah 58:2 “The sun rises and the sun sets” (Ecclesiastes 1:5). Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: Don’t we know […]
Read moreAbraham, Isaac, and God: Promises and Partings
Bereishit Rabbah 56:11 “The angel of Adonai called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, “By Myself I […]
Read moreShem and Abraham: Between Fear and Friendship
Bereishit Rabbah 44:7 [Isaiah 41:5-7: The islands saw and feared, the ends of the earth shuddered, they approached and came. Each […]
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