Many people have trouble understanding certain Medrashei Chazal. It is worthwhile at times to go behind the scenes and explore what Chaazal were trying to accomplish with their Medrashim.
Were all Medrashim meant to be historic? Why do Chazal OFTEN incriminate the Avos and Gedolei Ha-umah when the text seems to absolve them???
Here is a very important article. I don't sign on to every opinion he quotes [many of them not emanating from the Beis Medrash] but a very worthwhile read.
