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.
Minute Book
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalms 111:10)
1. The rabbi shall be permitted to retain in his exalted academy ten members of the community, fifteen outstanding students and…
Re’shit ḥokhmah (Beginning of Wisdom): On the Synagogue
Furthermore, with regard to a synagogue, one should be careful when leaving the synagogue not to leave with one’s back to the altar, where the Torah scroll is placed. Rather, one should face the holy…
Begging Letter
For Joseph Kohen Balarin of blessed memory, to his brother, in Prague.
Wisdom brings strength to the wise, dear brother from a city of strength, elevated leader and rabbi, my brother and head, may…
Responsum: On an Inheritance Dispute
Question: A rabbi died, leaving all his assets in the rabbinic court’s control until his heir came to take possession, and his closest heir, who ought rightfully to inherit, is in Portugal, living as…
Amulet for Falling Sickness
An amulet for a person with the falling sickness [epilepsy—Ed.]. He should wear it [the amulet] around his neck, and he should fast and ritually immerse, and it should be written in the first hour at…
To Ask a Question So as Not to Leave Empty-Handed
More for the aforementioned [recipe so as not to leave empty-handed]: wash your hands and feet in warm water and file the toenail of the left or right hallux with a new knife. Using a needle—not ink…
Tsori la-nefesh u-marpe’ la-‘etsem (Balm for the Soul and Healing for the Bones)
To the princes and the honored ones, rulers of the people, the members of the charitable association in the ghetto of the holy community of Venice, may their Rock and Redeemer protect those who…
Re’shit ḥokhmah (Beginning of Wisdom): On Love
The concept of Love is further explained in the Zohar [II, Ki Tissa, 190b], where it is stated as follows: The Torah contains within it love and brotherhood and truth. Abraham loved…
Letter
In the name of the Lord:
My brothers and my friends, the inhabitants of Albanian Belgrade [Berat, Albania]: may all who are worthy merit seeing the salvation of the Lord. Hurry and send me the maḥzor…
Sefat emet (True Speech)
However, in our many sins, she is Zion, there is none who cares for her (Jeremiah 30:17). Consider the question you asked, speaking like an enemy without knowledge [see Job 34:34]. For it follows the…
El libro de los acuerdos: On Printing Books
No Jew shall be allowed to cause to be printed in this city or outside it in these realms Hebrew or Ladino books or [books] in any other language without express permission of the Mahamad [board of…
Grammatica Hebraica (Hebrew Grammar)
Part One, in which are shown all the rules necessary for understanding language, how to compose and write therein prose and verse, with the appropriate elegance and measure.
To the Reader:
Although I…