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.
Crónica de los reyes otomanos (Chronicle of the Ottoman Kings)
The houses and rooms of the inhabitants of this most famous city are one or the other of two extremes: the good ones are sumptuous houses at the height of perfection and…
Chronicle from Prague
5323 [1562]: King Maximilian, may he be exalted, came here, to Prague, on Monday the 6th of Tishri [5 September], and he was crowned on Hoshanah Rabba [the last day of Sukkot—20 September]. In that…
Testament (New York)
The Twentieth day of may in the yeare one Thousand and Seven hundred & Eight I Esther Browne of New York widdow Being Sick in Body, Butt of good and Perfect Memory, Thancks be to almighty god and…
Responsum: On Communal Leadership
Question: The holy community of Rhodes (may their Rock protect and sustain them) agreed and accepted upon themselves, under the threat of very severe penalties, that no member of Israel—not Sargons n…
Letter to the Envoy Keller
His princely Eminence has been pleased in his benevolence, while I am still confined to bed because of my illness to reveal to me sufficient to let me know that the matter has met with difficulties…
Letter to Netanel Trabotto: On Prayer
A copy of the letter from the perfect sage R. Samuel Norzi, of blessed memory, in which he seeks to permit, as per his opinion, the singers [in the synagogue] to…
Amulet
Amulet printed on parchment from Germany. The words in this amulet are arranged to form patterns and shapes.
Confession
I admit my guilt . . . in that I was told of a maiden who was [there] the daughter of Juan Estevan who had ascended to heaven and was approached there by an angel, and how she had told of the many…
Chronicle of Events in Adrianople
[Sabbatai’s] illumination grew steadily more intense up to the thirteenth day of the month of Adar [23 February]. On that day his brother came for a stay, along with four of Vani Effendi’s men.…
Tsemaḥ David (The Sprout of David): On the Invention of the Printing Press
The printing of books: began [lit. “was located”] in the city of Mainz, by a Christian man named Johannes Gutenberg of Strasbourg, and this was in the first year of the pious emperor, Friedrich, in…
Commentary: On Job
Abraham Farissol, son of the late Mordechai (may he rest in Eden!) of Avignon, dwelling in Ferrara, declares: In response to the request of some distinguished individuals, I have agreed…