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.
Ethical Teachings of Yoḥanan ben Zakkai in the Babylonian Talmud
[The Gemara concludes its discussion of theft with several aggadic statements.] His students asked Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai, “For what reason was the Torah stricter with a thief than with a robber?”…
The Rabbis’ Monopoly on Torah Study
An event concerning R. Yannai, who was walking on the way. He met a person who was very overbearing. He [R. Yannai] said to him, “Will the rabbi accept my hospitality?” He said to him, “Whatever…
Scribes and Craftsmen
The wisdom of the scribe depends on the opportunity of leisure;
only the one who has little business can become wise.
How can one become wise who handles the plow,
and who glories in the…
Giving Charity Leads to Wealth
There was a case of a man who had two sons, one who did many charitable acts and another who did not give charity at all. The one who regularly did charitable acts sold his house and everything that…
Rejoicing on Passover
The sages taught [in a baraita]: All are obligated in these four cups, including men, women, and children. R. Judah said: What benefit do children receive from wine? [They do not enjoy it.] Rather…
Rabbinic Discussions of Prohibited Activities
1:3. A tailor should not go out with his needle close to dark [on the eve of the Sabbath], lest he forget it and go out [carrying it]. Nor should a scribe [go out] with his quill [close to dark]. One…
Disputed Virginity
For these people the law lays down as follows: In the case of persons who take maidens in lawful matrimony and have celebrated the bridal sacrifices and feasts, but retain no conjugal affection for…
Laboring for the Dead
5. [ . . . ] Furthermore R. Meir said: A man may gather his father’s and mother’s bones, since this is a joy for him. R. Yosi says: It is mourning for him. A man should not stir up wailing for his…
Trial by Ordeal
Then the imperishable angels of immortal God, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel, who know what evils anyone did previously, lead all the souls of men from the murky dark to judgment…
Resurrected Clothing?
Rabbi’s teaching was: A person does not return just as they left. The other rabbis’ was: A person returns just as they left.
Curing Blindness
That same night I [Tobit] washed myself and went into my courtyard and slept by the wall of the courtyard; and my face was uncovered because of the heat.
I did not know that there were…
Types of Fever and Their Cures
Aramaic
Abaye said: An expert told it to me: For one-day sun-heat, a jug of fluids. For two-day [sun-heat], fennel. For three-day [sun-heat], red meat [cooked] over coals, and clear wine. For…