Searching for Meaning in Midrash: Lessons for Everyday Living

by Rabbi Michael Katz, Rabbi Gershon Schwartz

Searching for Meaning in Midrash explores the fascinating body of Jewish literature called Midrash—creative interpretations of the Bible that are designed to reveal hidden or deeper meaning in Scripture. Each of the over 50 midrashim sit next to its corresponding biblical text so that readers can compare them, along with commentary on the times and insights of the Rabbis who wrote each midrash. Readers are given guidance for answering “What does this text mean to me?”

Genres: Judaism, Religion

243 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2002

Reviews

[Andy Oram · Rating 2 out of 5]

The goal of this book is laudable: to find short passages of traditional Jewish commentary that can be explained to readers with modest religious knowledge. But the passages chosen usually offer little insight into either religion or life. Furthermore, the D'rashim seem oriented to children more than adults; they verge on the corny.