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.
A Pilgrimage of Thanksgiving following Military Victory
When they arrived at Jerusalem, they worshiped God. As soon as the people were purified, they offered their burnt offerings, their freewill offerings, and their gifts. Judith also dedicated to God…
Portents of War and Destruction
And then, before the revolt and the upheaval leading to war, when the people were gathering for the feast of Unleavened Bread on the eighth of the month Xanthicus [in spring, 66 CE], so brilliant a…
A Christian Perspective
The outcome of that which was foretold regarding the Jewish people has [already] been said and demonstrated. But as he, the Word of God [Jesus], also prophesied regarding these places themselves, we…
A Synagogue Is Polluted
The next day was a Sabbath, and the Jews assembling at the synagogue found one of the local opposition sacrificing birds on an upturned pot beside the entrance. The Jews were enraged at what they saw…
The Praise of the Righteous
[Unite] your souls with the good ones
and with the perfect ones to glorify the Most High.
Join together to make his salvation known
and do not hesitate to proclaim his power
and his glory to all…
Praying in the Synagogue versus Praying Privately
It was taught, Abba Benjamin said: One’s prayer is only [fully] heard in a synagogue, as it is stated: to listen to the song and the prayer (1 Kings 8:28). [It may be inferred that] in a place of…
Rabbinic Personal Blessings
When the sages took leave of the study hall of R. Ammi, and some say [it was] the study hall of R. Ḥanina, they would say to him the following [blessing]: May you see your world, [may…
Writing the Truth Plainly
Besides being wise, the Teacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs. The Teacher sought to find pleasing words, and he wrote words of truth plainly.…
The “Seven Spirits”
And now give heed to me, my children, concerning the things which I saw during my time of penitence, concerning the seven spirits of deceit. For seven spirits are established against mankind, and they…
Physical Labor Is Divine
Do not hate hard labor or farm work, which was created by the Most High.
Translation from the New Revised Standard Version.
Worthy and Unworthy Professions
R. Judah said: An unmarried man must not tend cattle, nor may two unmarried men sleep together under the same cover. But the sages permit it. One whose business is with women must not be alone with…
Deed of Gift from Babatha’s Husband, Judah, to His Daughter
In the consulship of Publius Metilius Nepos for the second time and Marcus Annius Libo sixteen days before the kalends of May, according to the compute of the new province year twenty-third on the…