Vayikra Rabbah 3:5. The sacrifice of those with little means takes precedence over the sacrifice of the wealthy. Three stories teach the theme, include dream messages, and leave us wondering how to offer our souls in the world today. The post 14. The Merit of Meager Offerings appeared first on More Midrash.

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14. The Merit of Meager Offerings

Hi. I’m Jay. Welcome to More Midrash. I started this podcast as a new way to explore midrash, to read these ancient Jewish texts closely with anyone no matter how far away we may be from each other. I believe that close reading is an act of love, attention to detail is an act of devotion, and opening to imagination is a spiritual practice. In this first episode of Season 2, I want to introduce you to me, to midrash, and to our specific focus for the season - folktales in the midrashic collection Vayikra Rabbah. If you'd like to read a transcript of the episode, go to https://moremidrash.com/introduction-season-2-vayikra-rabbah/. The post 13. Introduction to Vayikra Rabbah appeared first on More Midrash.

13. Introduction to Vayikra Rabbah

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. The post 12. Jacob: The End Draws Close appeared first on More Midrash.

12. Jacob: The End Draws Close

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? The post 11. Judah and Joseph: The Meaning of Approach appeared first on More Midrash.

11. Judah and Joseph: The Meaning of Approach

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... The post 10. Joseph and His Brothers: Sparking the Holy Spirit appeared first on More Midrash.

10. Joseph and His Brothers: Sparking the Holy Spirit

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. The post 09. Joseph and the Cupbearer: Memory and Hope appeared first on More Midrash.

09. Joseph and the Cupbearer: Memory and Hope

Bereishit Rabbah 79:3. Job suffered, and gained wholeness. Jacob arrived home in wholeness.  The post 08. Jacob and Job: Seeking Wholeness appeared first on More Midrash.

08. Jacob and Job: Seeking 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? The post 07. Jacob and Naomi: People Over Place appeared first on More Midrash.

07. Jacob and Naomi: People Over Place

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? The post 06. Rebecca: In Search of Answers appeared first on More Midrash.

06. Rebecca: In Search of 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. The post 05. Sarah and Rebecca: Sunset, Sunrise appeared first on More Midrash.

05. Sarah and Rebecca: Sunset, Sunrise

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. The post 04. Abraham, Isaac, and God: Promises and Partings appeared first on More Midrash.

04. Abraham, Isaac, and God: Promises and Partings

Bereishit Rabbah 44:7. How old was Shem? How did Abraham feel about him? What can we learn from their relationship? The post 03. Shem and Abraham: Between Fear and Friendship appeared first on More Midrash.

03. Shem and Abraham: Between Fear and Friendship

Bereishit Rabbah 36:3. After the Flood, Noah gains the title, "Man of the Earth." How come? What might it mean? The post 02. Noah: Man of the Earth appeared first on More Midrash.

02. Noah: Man of the Earth

Bereishit Rabbah 22:7. The first midrash of the season peeks into the dynamics behind why Cain killed Abel. The post 01. Cain and Abel: The First Fight appeared first on More Midrash.

01. Cain and Abel: The First Fight

Rabbi Jay Asher LeVine explores imaginative rabbinic readings of the Hebrew Bible. Each interpretation, called a "midrash", gives us insight into sacred stories from the Jewish tradition, and ultimately into the sacred story of our own lives.

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