ˈmiˌdräsh noun
( plural mid·rash·im miˈdräshə̇m, ˌ ̷ ̷ˌdräˈshēm ; also mid·rash·oth or mid·rash·ot ˌ ̷ ̷ˌdräˈshōt(h))
Etymology: Hebrew midhrāsh exposition, explanation
1.
a. sometimes capitalized : an ancient Jewish exposition of a passage of the Scriptures that may be either halakic or haggadic in type
b. often capitalized : a collection of midrashim
2. sometimes capitalized : Jewish religious exposition by means of midrashim
3. usually capitalized : the body of midrashic literature
4. : an ancient Jewish narrative that has the form characteristic of a midrash and the purpose of setting forth or illustrating a religious teaching