midrash

[ Sephardic Hebrew mee-drahsh; Ashkenazic Hebrew mi-drahsh ]

noun

, plural mid·ra·shim [mee-d, r, ah-, sheem, mi-, draw, -shim], mid·ra·shoth, mid·ra·shot, mid·ra·shos [mee-d, r, ah-, shawt, mi-, draw, -shohs].

1. an early Jewish interpretation of or commentary on a Biblical text, clarifying or expounding a point of law or developing or illustrating a moral principle.
2. (initial capital letter) a collection of such interpretations or commentaries, especially those written in the first ten centuries a.d.

midrash

/ miˈdraʃ; mɪdˈræʃɪk; ˈmɪdræʃ /

noun

1. a homily on a scriptural passage derived by traditional Jewish exegetical methods and consisting usually of embellishment of the scriptural narrative
2. one of a number of collections of such homilies composed between 400 and 1200 ad

Derived Forms

• midrashic, adjective

Other Words From

• mid·rash·ic [mid-, rash, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of midrash¹

First recorded in 1605–15, midrash is from the Hebrew word midrāsh literally, exposition

Word History and Origins

Origin of midrash¹

C17: from Hebrew: commentary, from darash to search

Example Sentences

In 1808 the Beth ha-Midrash was suddenly transformed into the "Samsonschool," still in useful operation.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence arises Midrash, exposition, from 171 darash to “investigate” a scriptural passage.

From Project Gutenberg

"Legendary exposition" best expresses the full meaning of the word Midrash.

From Project Gutenberg

An ancient Midrash taught that in the Temple there were seventy sacrifices offered for the seventy nations.

From Project Gutenberg