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.
The Chatham House Version
This appraisal of the west has remained Toynbee’s considered judgment. “In my eyes,” he states in the last volume of A Study of History, published in 1961, “the west is a…
Jewish Writings
During the period between the two wars, the relations between Jews and Muslims progressively altered. One can assign several causes to this unfortunate evolution.
One is the acceleration…
Brandeis University: The Pledge
[ . . . ] I look upon this humble beginning as a potentially significant step. It is the first nonsectarian university which becomes the corporate responsibility of the Jewish community in America…
America Must Not Remain Silent
I speak to you as an American Jew.
As Americans we share the profound concern of millions of people about the shame and disgrace of inequality and injustice which make a mockery of the great American…
Rites and Ceremonies
Father, adonoi, author of all things
of the three states,
the soft light on the barn at dawn,
a wind that sings
in the bracken, fire in iron gates,
the ram’s horn,
Furnisher, hinger of…
History of the Israelite Nation, from Abraham to the Present Time
On this occasion a singular event occurred, which gave a new impulse to the piety and energy of Joshiah. The original copy of the laws, supposed to be written by Moses himself was found in the temple…
Shever poshe‘im: The Court of R. Hayim Haykl of Amdur
The communal treasurer stands on guard at the entrance to the rabbi’s home to make inquiry concerning every invalid or cripple, and by what name he is called. One can hear the noise of the people as…
Scroll of the Book of Esther
Like Torah scrolls, the scroll of the biblical book of Esther, read ritually in the synagogue on the holiday of Purim, must be completely unadorned. However, in the sixteenth century, for reasons…
The Empty Chair
The empty chair was a recurrent image in the work of Israeli artists. Because of its associations with the (fallen) throne of the biblical King David, it was sometimes used to represent a fallen…
Yosef omets (He Will Be Stronger): On the Ten Days of Repentance
980. It is written in Re’shit ḥokhmah [The Beginning of Wisdom (1579), by Elijah de Vidas]: The name of the Ten Days of Repentance indicates that they were ordained to amend the year. They are days of…
Sefat ha-shulḥan (Rim of the Table)
To cause a blessing to rest within your house, by virtue of your deeds in this world throughout your life; to include [a blessing in] the world to come, as indicated by the length of your days…
The day my heart was troubled doubly
The day my heart was troubled doubly,By your love, O crown unto my head,Delight and joy were mine beside the sheepfolds,When your beauteous traits were joined to me.Lovely are your dancing steps, you…