Midrashim (Legends)
Midrashim Readings
Rosh Hashanah
- Rosh Hashanah Evening 2015 Midrash: Punishing One Who Helps by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Rosh Hashanah Morning 2015 Midrash: Isaac Challenges Abraham by Rabbi Laura Baum
- Rosh Hashanah Evening 2014 Midrash: Imagining a Different Future by Rabbi Laura Baum
- Rosh Hashanah Morning 2014 Midrash: Aaron’s Shame by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Erev Rosh Hashanah 2013 Midrash: Stuff of Legends by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Rosh Hashanah Morning 2013 Midrash: Pharaoh’s Daughter by Rabbi Laura Baum
- Erev Rosh Hashanah 2012 Midrash: Heretic! by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Rosh Hashanah Morning 2012 Midrash: Tamar and Her Mother by Rabbi Laura Baum
- Rosh Hashanah Morning 2011 Midrash: Alone by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Erev Rosh Hashanah 2011 Midrash: Perspective by Rabbi Laura Baum
- Erev Rosh Hashanah 2010 Midrash: The Anger of Joseph’s Unknown Wife
- Rosh Hashanah Morning 2010 Midrash: Joseph, Trapped in the Cell
- Morning Midrash 2009 – “A Blessings for the Israelites and Balaam ” by Rabbi Laura Baum
- Erev Midrash 2009 – “A Cursed People” by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Morning Midrash 2008 – “Joseph, You’re A Dreamer” by Rabbi Laura Baum
- Erev Midrash 2008 – “A Life Not Well Lived: Jacob’s Personal Struggle” by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Erev Midrash 2007 (Rabbinic Intern Laura Baum)
- Morning Midrash 2007 (Rabbi Barr)
- Erev Midrash 2006
- Morning Midrash 2006
Yom Kippur
- Erev Yom Kippur Midrash 2015: Abraham Seeks To Save Sodom and Gomorrah by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Yom Kippur Morning Midrash 2015: What is Righteous? by Iah Pillsbury, rabbinic intern
- Erev Yom Kippur Midrash 2014: From Slavery to Freedom by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Yom Kippur Morning Midrash 2014: The Women Resisted and were Rewarded by Rabbi Laura Baum
- Erev Yom Kippur 2013 Midrash: Moses’ Identity by Rabbi Laura Baum
- Yom Kippur Morning 2013 Midrash: Floated Down the Nile by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Erev Yom Kippur 2012 Midrash: Tamar and Onan by Rabbi Laura Baum
- Yom Kippur Morning 2012 Midrash: Shame and Secrecy by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Erev Yom Kippur 2011 Midrash: Generations Collide by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Yom Kippur Memorial 2011 Midrash: Death of a Spy by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Erev Yom Kippur 2010 Midrash: Joseph Interpreting Dreams
- Yom Kippur Day 2010 Midrash: Joseph Tormenting His Brothers
- Memorial Midrash 2009 – “How Goodly Are Thy Tents” by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Morning Midrash 2009 – “Words” by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Erev Midrash 2009 – “Letting Go” by Rabbi Laura Baum
- Memorial Midrash 2008 – “Aaron Remembers Moses” by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Erev Midrash 2008 – “A New Approach to Jacob’s Struggle” by Rabbi Laura Baum
- Morning Midrash 2008 – “Not Wanting the Journey to End: Moses and the Promised Land” by Rabbi Robert Barr
- Erev Midrash 2007 (Rabbi Barr)
- Morning Midrash 2007 (Rabbinic Intern Ana Bonnheim)
- Memorial Midrash 2007 (Rabbi Barr)
- Erev Midrash 2006
- Morning Midrash 2006
- Memorial Midrash 2006
- Erev Midrash 2005
- Morning Midrash 2005
Midrashim Books on iTunes
The Pudgy Moses
In this legend, Moses carries within himself the memories, doubts, and uncertainty of his childhood. This story is an exploration of that internal conflict as Moses stood to face God while the future of the Children of Israel hung in the balance.
The Bush Had Not been Consumed
In this Jewish legend, Moses encounters the burning bush and experiences a sense of connection and loss. More than a tale about theology, this is an exploration of about grief and sorrow. It examines how that which once is so strong and alive ceases to be.
Lot’s Daughter Betrayed
In the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot offers his daughters to be raped by an unruly mob of men. This legend captures the outrage and pain the daughters felt toward their father. In the Biblical story, the daughters did not speak, in this midrash, they do and their anger can be heard.
The Stuff of Legends
This legend examines how a Moses is transformed from a Prince of Egypt to the leader of slave rebellion. While moses is typically cast as one who wanted to end injustice, this legend takes a very different approach. Moses only becomes the Moses we know as a function of the fates.
Adam, Lilith, & Eve – Their Stories
In this legend, the first man and woman write their own creation stories only to find they do not agree on much. This story explores the sexism that is found in the Biblical creation myth and unfortunately can still be found in our own generation.
