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 Temple as Sacred Space
8. Within the wall [of Jerusalem] was holier [than outside the wall], for they would eat the lesser holy offerings and the produce of the second tithe there. The Temple Mount was holier than [within…
Priests Attempt to Prevent Revolt
Alarmed at this demonstration, the political leaders and the chief priests tore their clothes and made grovelling appeals throughout the crowd, imploring them to desist, and not to add to what they…
The Brazenness of Priests
18. At first they would bring in the skins of sacrificial animals to the chamber of the parvah [in which skins were salted], and they would divide them in the evening among the entire household [of…
Torah Scholars at the Synagogue
[And for a spirit of justice to him that sits in judgment and for strength to them that turn back the battle to the gate (Isaiah 28:6).] And for a spirit of justice: This [is referring to] one who…
Judith’s Hymn of Thanksgiving
All the women of Israel gathered to see her, and blessed her, and some of them performed a dance in her honor. She took ivy-wreathed wands in her hands and distributed them to the women…
Prayer for Instruction and Deliverance
Yhwh, I call to you,
listen to me;
I extend my hands to your holy dwelling;
bend your ear and grant my plea,
and what I ask, do not deny me;
build up my soul and do not demolish it;
and do not…
Levi ben Sisi’s Prayer on Occasion of Ravaging Troops
When ravaging troops entered the town of Levi ben Sisi, he took a Torah scroll and went up to the rooftop, exclaiming:
Master of the Universe!
If I have neglected one word of this Torah scroll, let…
A Penitential Prayer
Look upon us, our Lord.
We have not whither to turn our face,
but to You, for You are merciful.
We know that we have sinned
and we regret our sins.
Show clemency on us, our Lord,
and do not repay our…
Emulating the Divine
And R. Ḥama, son of R. Ḥanina, says, “What is [the meaning of that] which is written: After the Lord your God shall you walk, [and Him shall you fear, and His commandments shall you keep, and unto His…
A Rabbinic Scholarly Elite
It is the custom of the world that a thousand enter upon the study of Scripture, but [only] a hundred come forth [successfully]. Out of a hundred who [proceed] to the [study of] Mishnah, ten come…
The Thirty-Nine Acts of Labor Prohibited on the Sabbath
The primary labors are forty less one: sowing, plowing, reaping, binding sheaves, threshing, winnowing, selecting, grinding, sifting, kneading, baking, shearing wool, bleaching, hackling, dyeing…
Providing for the Poor
Happy is he who considers the poor (Psalm 41:2). R. Abba ben Jeremiah said in the name of R. Meir: This refers to one who crowns the good inclination over the evil inclination. Isi said: This refers…