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.
This wonder, this marvel
This wonder, this marvel,
which the deceitful fantasy
Basilisk or Asp believes it to be,
is an error of understanding:
Since if one considers it carefully,
the Divine Providence
is rewarding your…
The Lover
And then I heard the singing. Chanting, prayer, live voices, not from the transistor. It wasn’t yet light, just the first flutterings of dawn. Shivering with cold, wrapped in our blankets, wet with…
Journey to the End of the Millennium
From the corner of his eye, Rabbi Elbaz now observed the anxiety in Ben Attar’s face receding somewhat, and a short row of white teeth gleaming in the smile of a merchant who finally sees the hope of…
Seven Laments for the War-Dead
1
Mr. Beringer, whose son
fell at the Canal that strangers dug
so ships could cross the desert,
crosses my path at Jaffa Gate.
He has grown very thin, has lost
the weight of his son.
That’s why he…
Behistun Trilingual Inscription and Aramaic Papyrus
Behistun Trilingual Inscription, Persia. This inscription of Darius I (reigned 522–486 BCE) illustrates the polyglot character of the Persian Empire. Versions in the Old Persian, Elamite, and Akkadian…
Uzziah’s Reinterment Inscription
Uzziah’s reinterment inscription, Jerusalem. King Uzziah (reigned 785–733 BCE) was a leper and therefore, according to the book of Chronicles, could not be buried in the royal tombs and so had to be…
Arad Letter (Military Orders)
Arad letter (Military Orders). The letter, from the latter days of the Judean monarchy, refers to sending reinforcements to a town in the Negev, “Lest Edom should enter there.” It illustrates the…
Musicians on Ritual Stand
Musicians on ritual stand, Ashdod, late 11th or early 10th century BCE. Music and dance played an important role in Israel and the ancient Near East in both daily life and special occasions such as…
Model Shrine from Tirzah
This terra-cotta model of a shrine from Tirzah stands 8 inches (21 cm) tall. The façade has an entrance with a grooved threshold flanked by fluted pilasters, with inward-curling volute capitals topped…
Bird Figurine with Pillar Base
This terra-cotta bird figurine from Lachish, about 4 inches (10 cm) high, has outspread wings indicating flight. Like the Judahite pillar figurines discussed earlier, its base is a solid pillar…
Seal of Shema, Servant of Jeroboam, with Lion
A large lion dominates this seal, appearing between the owner’s name (Shema) and his title (servant of Jeroboam). The lion’s jaws are open and its tail curves upward, making the animal appear larger…
Crouching Ivory Lion Figurines
In the ancient Near East, images of paired lions served as guardians at building entrances and on furniture, where these two figurines from Samaria were presumably placed. According to 1 Kings 10:19…