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 Boxer
Aron maintained confident hope in one child. To this day, it remains uncertain whether or not this hope was fulfilled, but you can’t talk to him about it.The transport that led from the Bohemian…
Another Year in Africa
At first Berka had avoided Hershl, but the latter persisted in his visits to Berka’s workshop, ignoring his deliberate rudeness. While Hershl spoke to him Berka hammered away at his last in silence…
The Road to Ein Harod
Not a word about Ein Harod on the official radio. All the official communiqués were broadcast. Directives to obey. Directives to obey directives. Directives prohibiting assemblies. Directives not to…
Outcast
I sit by the desk. Four hours of sleep is enough. The rain beats strongly on the neighboring garage’s tin rooftop. The roar of a bus rises from afar. Early rising workers head for the morning shift…
The People, Food Fit for a King
The warden didn’t answer. He was scared to make a mistake, to say something that would be even more damaging to him, so he cleared his throat and didn’t say a word. The commander repeated his question…
Götz and Meyer
Götz and Meyer. Having never seen them, I can only imagine them. In twosomes like theirs, one is usually taller, the other shorter, but since both were SS non-commissioned officers, it is easy to…
Everything Is Illuminated
It was agreed that Grandfather and I would go forth at midnight of 1 July. This would present us with fifteen hours. It was agreed, by everyone except for Grandfather and I, that we should travel to…
Cyrus Cylinder
Cyrus Cylinder, Babylonia. In the inscription, Cyrus, the king of Persia (reigned 559–530 BCE), declares that he was chosen by Marduk, the god of Babylon, to free its citizens from the tyranny and…
Judicial Flogging in Egyptian Painting
Judicial flogging in Egyptian painting, Beni Hasan, Egypt, Twelfth Dynasty (1938–1759 BCE). A culprit is held down by three men as the court overseer watches. Biblical law included provisions for…
Papyrus, Rolled and Sealed
Papyrus, rolled and sealed, Samaria, 4th century BCE. This legal document had multiple seals affixed to it, apparently from different individuals (see the translation of this document, Slave Sale)…
Window Balustrade from Ramat Rahel Palace
Palm imagery is a common motif in decorative architectural elements like window balustrades. Each of the four columns in this partial restoration from the biblical period is six inches in diameter and…