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.
For Exorcism
To exorcise any spirit or any demon from a person [is] a kabbalistic power [ma‘aseh merkavah] with which King Solomon, peace be upon him, ruled all the demons. Fast for three consecutive days—Monday…
Amulet for Mother and Child
This German amulet is printed with unique designs. The names of the three angels, Sanoi, Sansanoi, and Smangalaf, indicate the use of this amulet as birth protection for mother and child, as…
Jamaica Cemetery, Gravestone Inscriptions
Gravestone of honorable old lady Sra Rachel, wife of the wealthy citizen the honorable R. Jacob Fernandes Gill, deceased, seventh day of Passover, 22 Nisan 5486May her soul be…
Letter on the Ten Tribes
Concerning the matter of the ten tribes, my dear sir should know that in Egypt, there is a place that is called Sawakin, almost a thirty-day distance away—from there, some say it is a three-day…
Devar Shemu’el (The Word of Samuel)
Throughout the tribes of Israel, we faithfully made it known how the holy and wise Nathan of Gaza came here to our camp. He said that he was a prophet, bringing news of the coming of the Redeemer and…
Letter to Modena
From the rabbis and geonim of the holy city of Safed, may it be speedily rebuilt in our days, sent to Modena, may God protect it, in 5370 [1610]He shall be called a holy man [see Isaiah 4:3]; the…
Proofreader’s Preface: Seder tefilot ke-minhag kahal kadosh Sefarad (The Order of the Prayers of the Holy Congregation of Spain)
Menasseh ben Joseph ben Israel, seeing the Bomberg types worn out, and since nothing can be imperfect for the Holy Work, arose from within the community and went out, and came to the house of an…
Ladino Translation of Baḥya Ibn Pakuda’s Ḥovot ha-levavot (Duties of the Heart)
A book titled in Ladino Obligasyon de los korazones [Duty of the Hearts] because it is translated from a text written by the pious gaon, our master Baḥya the judge, of blessed…
Proposal for the Establishment of a Jewish College
The following are the statutes, laws, and regulations which, with God’s help, are ultimately to be established in the institution dedicated to Torah [ . . . ] and to the sciences which our master, the…
Letter to Johannes Bouwmeester
To the Very Learned and Experienced Mr. Johannes Bouwmeester
From B. d. S.
Most Learned Sir, special Friend,
I have not been able till now to reply to your last letter, which I received some time…
Ḥerem against the Karaites
We have placed in ḥerem [excommunication] David Henriq[ue]s, alias David Almansa, [and] Aron and Ishack Dias da Fonseca and the account reads, as follows:
(In Adar I). The gentlemen of the Mahamad…
Why, death, do you tarry so?
Why, death, do you tarry so?
Why does your chariot come so slow?
Old age has prepared for me
Every illness and complaint.
What good are my hundred years?
If such pain I undergo—
Why, death…