Guide
What Is Deuteronomy Rabbah?
5th–10th Century
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Deuteronomy Rabbah is an aggadic (nonlegal) midrash on the book of Deuteronomy. Although its final compilation occurred between the eighth and tenth centuries CE, much of its content likely dates to the fifth century CE. Deuteronomy Rabbah contains twenty-seven homilies corresponding to the portions in the triennial Torah-reading cycle of the land of Israel, later organized into eleven sections corresponding to the portions in the annual Torah-reading cycle of Babylonia.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Souls Are in God’s Hand
Deuteronomy Rabbah 5:4
Two things are in God’s hand: the soul and justice. The soul, as it is written: In His hand is the soul of all the living (Job 12:10). And justice, as it is written: And My hand lays hold on judgment…
Primary Source
Moses’ Prayer to Enter the Land
Deuteronomy Rabbah 2:1
When Moses sought to enter the land of Israel, the Holy One said: Enough! (Deuteronomy 3:26). He [Moses] replied before Him: Master of the universe, did You not say to me, “To one who has a claim on…
Primary Source
Moses’ Prayer to Evade Death
Deuteronomy Rabbah 11:10
Moses said to God: Master of the Universe! You know full well how much toil and pain I bore for the sake of Israel until they would believe in Your name, how much grief I suffered on their account! […
Related Guide
Amoraic Midrash
2nd–9th Centuries