More Midrash

Bereishit Rabbah 93:4. Judah approaches Joseph, in defense of Benjamin. How does Judah’s approach transcend the danger and become a spiritual model for human connection?

Bereishit Rabbah 91:7. Joseph and his brothers meet after many years. He recognizes them, but they don’t recognize him. Yet maybe they know more than they realize…

Bereishit Rabbah 88:7. Joseph interprets the cupbearer’s dream in prison. But when the cupbearer is restored to his position he forgets about Joseph. But God does not forget.

Bereishit Rabbah 79:3. Job suffered, and gained wholeness. Jacob arrived home in wholeness. 

Bereishit Rabbah 68:6. Jacob and Noami both leave their homes. The midrash sees their departure as a great loss. What can we learn from their departure about how we want to live?

Bereishit Rabbah 63:6. Rebecca becomes pregnant with twins. They struggle (va-yit-rotzetzu) within her, and she wonders why she exists. Can we learn from her quest for answers?

Bereishit Rabbah 58:2. This midrash from Bereishit Rabbah finds significance in the juxtoposition of the genealogical notice that Rebecca has been born with Sarah’s death.

Bereishit Rabbah 56:11. Genesis 22, where Abraham nearly sacrifices Isaac, has perplexed people for thousands of years. This midrash, though, looks at a different set of problems.

Bereishit Rabbah 44:7. How old was Shem? How did Abraham feel about him? What can we learn from their relationship?

Bereishit Rabbah 36:3. After the Flood, Noah gains the title, “Man of the Earth.” How come? What might it mean?