Midrash (/ ˈ m ɪ d r ɑː ʃ /; [1] Hebrew: מִדְרָשׁ; pl. מִדְרָשִׁים midrashim or מִדְרָשׁוֹת ‎ midrashot) is an expansive Jewish Biblical exegesis [2] using a rabbinic mode of interpretation prominent in the Talmud.

Midrash (מדרשׁ) is an interpretive act, seeking the answers to religious questions (both practical and theological) by plumbing the meaning of the words of the Torah. (In the Bible , the root d-r-sh [דרשׁ] is used to mean inquiring into any matter, including occasionally to seek out God’s word.)

A form of the word darash, meaning “inquire” or “expound,” midrash is the rabbinic endeavor of mining the text of Tanach (the Hebrew Bible) to extract nuggets of hidden wisdom from its subterranean layers.

The Mishnah and the Midrash emerged as responses to the divine instructions found in the Hebrew Scriptures, or written Torah. While the Mishnah presents systematic legal guidance, the Midrash offers meditations and elucidations of Scripture’s spiritual depth.

Talmud and Midrash, commentative and interpretative writings that hold a place in the Jewish religious tradition second only to the Bible (Old Testament). The Hebrew term Talmud (“study” or “learning”) commonly refers to a compilation of ancient teachings regarded as sacred and normative by Jews

It is based on the book Ein Ya’akov, a compilation of Talmudic Aggadah, written by R. Ya’akov ibn Chaviv in Saloniki, Greece at the beginning of the 16th century C.E. The material deals with many topics: Providence; reward and punishment; destiny and free will; prophecy; miracles, and angels.

Jul 3, 2019 · In Judaism, the term Midrash (plural Midrasham) refers to a form of rabbinic literature that offers commentary or interpretation of biblical texts. A Midrash (pronounced "mid-rash") may be an effort to clarify ambiguities in an ancient original text or …

Midrash, searching and probing the text of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), divides into two categories. Some midrashic writing deals with practical matters of Jewish law and behavior (halacha), and is known as midrash halakhah. Most midrash explores ethical ideas, biblical characters or narrative moments, and is known as midrash aggadah.

Origin of the Midrash. Historical View. A term occurring as early as II Chron. xiii. 22, xxiv. 27, though perhaps not in the sense in which it came to be used later, and denoting "exposition," "exegesis," especially that of the Scriptures.

Midrash, a mode of biblical interpretation prominent in the Talmudic literature. The term is also used to refer to a separate body of commentaries on Scripture that use this interpretative mode. See Talmud and Midrash. This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.