Sample Sources
The sources below are those contained in our three curated collections—covering themes of Passover, Gender Roles, and Holocaust Resistance. They represent a fraction of the thousands of sources that will be available when the full site launches in 2024.
Hon ‘ashir (The Wealth of a Rich Man)
Commentaries and novellae on the six orders of the Mishnah; a detailed analysis of the halakhah, as well as allusions to the golden bells of agadot (legends) and gentle chimes of esoteric wisdom. Also…
Dissertaciones sobre el Mesías (Dissertations on the Messiah)
One must not close one’s ears to the heretic, as the orthodox can easily open his eyes. For this reason, pressure and punishment should never be used against any religion. Debates are useful. But…
Nomologia o discursos legales (Nomology, or Legal Discourses)
If, in order to understand the human laws, we utilize the explanations and glosses made by the…
Rejoice, be glad, confraternity Talmud Torah
Rejoice, be glad, confraternity Talmud Torah,
You crown of beauty, tiara of splendor.
O Holy One of Israel enthroned on Israel’s praises,
With musical voices we praise Your name.
With…
In Lighthearted Praise of the Holy Law in the Foundation of the Synagogue
The Law has such a great house—oh, look what suitors she does have!Who can doubt they are illustrious,Since on such a grand house they call?Even the judges of the peoplehave engaged in wooing her,show…
Comedia de Amán y Mordochay (Comedy of Haman and Mordechai)
Enter David, Moses, and Samson, all singing:Blessed Adonai,may Haman always die,viva Mordechai,Esther my lady.Viva my lady,blessed Adonai,may Haman always die,viva Mordechai.David:It is well that all…
The Flight of the Dove
The light passes through the curtain and brightens it, spreading a dull glow over the night-table and drawing a single shining line over the edge of the ashtray. The woman’s one eye follows it until…
On the Shore, Tel Aviv, Winter 1974
A crocodile cloud swallowed a cloud-cloud.
All is clogged
and where did the war go?
The pier is painted red and yellow
with the inscription: Tel Aviv.
The drums of the depths are indifferent.
In the…
Tel Dan Stela
Tel Dan Stela, late 9th century BCE. This Aramaic inscription of Hazael, king of Damascus, found at the city of Dan in northern Israel, mentions a king of the “House of David,” meaning a king from…
Pillared House
This drawing and the following replica of a pillared house are composites of many excavated houses from the Iron Age, 1200 to 586 BCE; none has been discovered standing. The images show domestic…
Hamsa-like Hand in Khirbet el-Kom (Makkedah) Tomb
This small hand, carved in stone with downward-pointing fingers, was probably apotropaic—that is, meant to protect the person buried in the tomb where it was found. It was carved on a wall between the…
Seals of Various Sizes, Shapes, and Colors
Collections of The Israel Museum, Jerusalem and the Israel Antiquities Authority. Photo © The Israel Museum, Jerusalem by David Harris.