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.
Testament (Skopje)
Whereas it is true and certain that the Lady Simcha—may she be blessed above women in the tent—daughter of the honorable and exalted R. Hefetz Conforte—may his soul repose in Paradise—summoned us, the…
Takkanot (Regulations)
The heads of the Communities have gathered here at Frankfort at the order of our masters, the Sages of Germany, to sit in council and look into the needs of the community and to make such ordinances…
Acordos (Regulations)
There may not be in this [city of] Recife and Antonio Vaz any congregation beyond that which exists today—may God enlarge it—and, if there be now or at any time anyone who contests this matter, the…
Letter to the Community of ‘Akron (Kurdistan)
Blessed are you to God . . . You the holy congregation of ‘Akron, may your Rock and Creator preserve you; inform us about your concerns and tell us about your happenings, for I and the Minister, the…
Statutes
- No one shall seek permission to become a master, unless he has it in writing from the Jewish Elders of Prague that he is native of the place, and he shall previously furnish the Jewish Elders with a…
Confusión de Confusiones (Confusion of Confusions)
Philosopher:
I think I have fully grasped usque ad ultimas differentias the meaning of the Company, its shares, its principles, its reputation, its splendor, its initiation, its progress, its…
Responsum: On the Decoration of a Torah Ark
Question: I was asked by the leaders of the holy congregation of Prostějov: A small piece of paper on which was drawn the image of a menorah, with the verses beginning “May God be gracious to us” from…
Responsum: On a Wayward Wife
Question 1: May our teacher and master, the great rabbi, who sits on the throne of halakhic rulings, please instruct and enlighten us regarding an episode that unfolded here in our city of Pisa, may…
Vave ha-‘amudim (Hooks of the Columns)
Now comes the turn, with awe and reverence, awe and reverence without end, of my father, the pious, God-fearing, learned one, may his strength be for the Torah [see Esther 2:15], the supernal light…
Sifte kohen (Lips of the Priest)
That which God puts in my mouth I shall express (Numbers 22:38) in succinct and easy language, so that it will be simple for the discerning to grasp. And my purpose is to inform everyone to whom this…
For Becoming Invisible
For becoming invisible: write the following on a deerskin parchment, wrap it in three layers of leathers, and wear it: Glospats Tsamarkhad, Kilkel, YHWH. Take a rooster in the month of March and put…
