Midrash

A collection of 33 posts

New Testament Insights

Traditions and Commandments: Understanding Jesus's Teaching in Mark 7

Did Jesus reject Jewish dietary laws, declaring all foods clean? In this article, we unpack the discussion in Mark 7 to challenge the popular tradition that Jesus abolished Torah-given commandments, and reflect a misreading of first-century Judaism.

Midrash

eBook Available | Rabbinic Metaphors and Symbolism

I've recently made an eBook that contains the most common metaphors, symbolism, and numbers that are found in the Rabbinic literature and Midrash.

Videos

Video: Reading the Wedding at Cana as Midrash

The New Testament is often misread due to a lack of understanding of its rabbinic nature. What can we take away from this story when we view it through the lens of Jewish midrash?

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New Testament Insights Featured

The Crucifixion of Isaac

Years ago, I heard a lecture by an Orthodox Rabbi who shared some deeper insights about the event known in the Torah as the "Akeidah", the "Binding" of Isaac. I found incredible parallels in this story that match the Gospel narrative of Jesus's crucifixion and teachings.

New Testament Insights

Render Unto Caesar: The Rabbinic Discourse on Idolatrous Coins

When Jesus said, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s,” he wasn’t only sidestepping a political trap, he tapped into a rabbinic debate on coins bearing idolatrous images. But beneath the surface lies a deeper theme: coins as symbols of the soul, each human being stamped with the divine image.

New Testament Insights

The Woman At the Well. John's Midrash on Ezekiel and 2 Kings

In this article, we explore John 4 through the lens of Rabbinic Midrash and its links to Ezekiel 16 and 2 Kings 17. Is the Samaritan woman a creative representation of Ezekiel's prophetic narrative, and if so, how does this change the way we read the Gospels.

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Mysticism and Spirituality

Angels & Intermediaries: The Role of Malachim in Creation

What are Angels? Many cultures have a category for heavenly beings. And though they are indeed mentioned, Bible readers will not find comprehensive details about Angels within the texts. For that, we need to dig through the Jewish tradition.

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New Testament Insights

Who Is the "New Man" in Ephesians?

For centuries, Paul's vision of the “One New Man” has been used to erase Jewish identity in the name of Christian unity. But what if we've misunderstood him entirely?

Midrash Featured

The Wisdom of the Long Short Road: Finding Purpose Through Struggle

Not all shortcuts are short. A lesson from the Talmud provides a layered teaching about life, growth, and the soul’s journey.

Midrash

The Lion & The Dog. Humility and Ego in the Temple Offerings

The Jewish tradition tells us something profound and fascinating: when a sacrifice was brought with the proper intent, fire from above would descend and consume it in the shape of a lion. Majestic. Elevated. Spiritually-aligned.

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Midrash

The Resurrection of Lazarus

The story of Lazarus, as recounted in the Gospel of John, is one of the most profound miracles performed by Jesus. But when we look deeper at this story, with hints from the Jewish tradition, more details emerge.

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Mysticism and Spirituality

An Introduction to Demons in Jewish Tradition

In this article, we explore the Jewish tradition of the demonic. Through the Bible, Rabbinic, and mystical lenses, we'll reveal how Jewish thought interprets these supernatural beings, various classes, and their impact on the human experience.

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New Testament Insights

Sowing the Seeds of Redemption: A Hidden Message in Genesis 47?

Why does the tradition seem to be silent on the ending of Parasha Vayigash? Why does the Torah tell us about Joseph's interactions with the people of Egypt? Is there a Messianic hint in these passages for us to explore?

Torah

Genesis Misunderstood: The True Meaning of 'Adam' and Humanity

Many people have read Genesis believing that Adam and Eve were simply two individuals created in the Garden. This has created problems between religion and science, but what if this understanding was based on a misinterpretation? A closer look at the Hebrew reveals a profound nuance.

New Testament Insights

Proofs of Oral Torah: Jannes and Jambres, A Couple of Troublemakers from the Rabbinic Tradition

We explore the intriguing reference to Jannes and Jambres, and its implications, in Paul's second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:8). These figures are notably absent from the Christian canonical Bible but appear throughout the Jewish midrashic and kabbalistic tradition.

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New Testament Insights

Do Not Let Your Left Hand Know What Your Right Hand is Doing

In Jewish thought, the right-hand holds a special place in customs, rituals, and observances. This pattern is reflected in everyday activities from hand-washing, tying shoes, touching a Mezuzah, wrapping Tefillin and more.

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New Testament Insights

The Healing of the Woman and the Young Girl

One of the Gospel's most famous and well-known healing stories is of the healing of the woman and the young girl. What if this story was written as more of a Midrash, would there be a deeper message for us to glean?

New Testament Insights Featured

Abolishing the Torah

Often used as a proof-text for the abrogation of the Torah [commandments], in Matthew 5 we see Jesus citing a well-known Midrash to prove quite the opposite. Despite many modern (popular) interpretations, he forbids his audience from ever thinking of such an idea!

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Mysticism and Spirituality

Difficult Sayings of Jesus: "Eat of My Flesh"

A particular passage in the Gospel of John has been difficult for many readers to understand for centuries. The text indicates that many in Jesus's day had a hard time with it too.

Mysticism and Spirituality

The Parable of the Bridesmaids

The Parable of the Bridesmaids is a timeless lesson of vigilance and preparation. When we overlay the themes of the rabbinic tradition, we see more information under the surface to help us prepare.

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Mysticism and Spirituality

Angels Ascending and Descending on the Ladder

Jesus quotes a very deep midrash in the Gospel of John. Many readers miss this reference, but his audience did not. Journey with us as we unpack these metaphors and seek understanding.

New Testament Insights

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

This parable exemplifies how Jesus often co-opts Rabbinic Midrash to illustrate a point. In this, he uses many metaphoric elements of the Jewish oral tradition, teaching the surprising spiritual dynamics of repentance.

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Mysticism and Spirituality

The Divine Council

Does G_D rule the world through a Divine Council of supernal angels? For many, this may be a new idea, however, deep within the Rabbinic tradition, this is quite ancient.

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New Testament Insights

The Healing of the Blind Man

What is the lesson of the healing of the blind man? Is it simply a recorded event, or is there more for readers to take away from this moral?

Mysticism and Spirituality

The Light of the Moon

In an ancient Midrash, the moon approached the Creator, asking how it should find its place amid the sun's brightness. The Creator's instruction provides insight for us today as to how we might best fulfill our purpose in life.