More Midrash

26. Assorted Ideas on Death and the Afterlife

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 i

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 t

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.

16. The Wisdom of “Was”

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 w

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 midra

14. The Merit of Meager Offerings

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, an

13. Introduction to Vayikra Rabbah

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 awa

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

11. Judah and Joseph: The Meaning of Approach

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?

10. Joseph and His Brothers: Sparking the Holy Spirit

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...

09. Joseph and the Cupbearer: Memory and Hope

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 for

08. Jacob and Job: Seeking Wholeness

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

07. Jacob and Naomi: People Over Place

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