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.
Responsum: On Prostitutes’ Gifts to the Synagogue
Concerning the matter of prostitutes from the daughters of Israel—far be it from our straight paths—who dedicate a new ark curtain or Torah scroll cover, it is permissible from a legal point of view…
Letter to Rabbi Jacob Moses Karpas against Zionism
May he be written and sealed immediately for good, long life—the honored rabbi, the splendid gentleman, the sharp and erudite, God-fearing, distinguished, may his name be honored, our teacher, R…
Responsum: On Civil Marriage
I set the Lord before me always. Karcag [Hungary], eve of the holy Sabbath, the week of [the reading of] Koraḥ, 5659 [June, 1899]. Abundant blessings and rejoicings to my dear friend, the eminent…
The Dispersion of Israel
I have observed that on account of our many sins these days, very many Jews have…
Confirmation Manual
The compiler of this Manual, after many years of experience in the ministry, and frequent occasions of conferring the rite of Confirmation on his pupils, desires to place before his…
An Open Letter
With God’s help, may the Lord order blessing, life, and peace for the leaders and fine men, preeminent individuals, etc., and for their head, the Great Rabbi, etc.Hear, congregation of the Lord and…
Livro de ascamot: A List of the Books in Yeshivat ‘Ets Ḥayim
Established in 1616 as part of a yeshiva in Amsterdam, the Ets Ḥayim library continues to function to this day, making it the oldest operational Jewish library in the world. It moved to its current…
Portrait of Joseph Solomon Delmedigo
This engraving by Willem Jacobsz Delff is based on an earlier portrait of scholar Joseph Solomon Delmedigo by Willem Cornelisz Duyster.
Portrait of Baruch Spinoza
Baruch (Benedict) Spinoza, one of the world’s foremost philosophers, was born in Amsterdam to parents of Portuguese New Christian origin and educated in the Talmud Torah of the Portuguese Sephardic…
The Adventures in Short of Ferdinand Pedahtsur
In a faraway land over the seas
Lived a clever and wise king, if you please.
His name was not easy to say unrehearsed
King Leonard-Ferdinand-McCourt the first.
We’ll take on the public’s prudent…
Angel
Angels were a recurring theme in Dorchin’s sculptures, many of which include the word “angel” in their titles. Toward the 1980s, he began to use iron for most of his sculptures. This “angel” wall…
Sefer ha-zikhronot (The Book of Memories)
“Blessed be He who shows loving kindness to the undeserving, for he requited me with every kindness” in the dead of night, on Monday, in the early morning of the 9th of Kislew…