The Hebrew term Midrash (Hebrew: מדרש; plural midrashim, "story" from "to investigate" or "study") also "Interpretation" or "Exposition" is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible.
Midrash is a way of interpreting biblical stories that goes beyond simple distillation of religious, legal, or moral teachings. It fills in many gaps left in the biblical narrative regarding events and personalities that are only hinted at.
The original purpose of midrash was to resolve problems in the interpretation of difficult passages of the text of the Hebrew Bible, using Rabbinic principles of hermeneutics and philology to align them with the religious and ethical values of religious teachers. This method of interpretation was eventually expanded "to provide scriptural pretexts to justify oral tradition".
Read more about Midrash: Etymology, Methodology, Forms of Midrashic Literature, Halakhic Midrashim, Aggadic Midrashim, Classical Compilations, Contemporary Midrash