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.
Kore’ ha-dorot (Reader for the Generations)
And after the rabbi [Joseph Karo] went to Safed he studied in the study house of the rabbi, our master, Jacob Berab, and became a disciple of our master R. Berab, as is written in several places. The…
‘Olam hafukh (The World Upside Down)
Although the troubles worsened and the city of Padua was in a state of turmoil [see Esther 3:15], there remained hope and divine mercy for the Jews, as not one person in the ghetto was dead or ill…
Peraḥ Levanon (Flower of Lebanon)
I will print this book in ink as a remembrance and a sign, a memorial for my dear children. For now I will reveal their strength with words, as a reminder for them and their children…
Ethical Will
It is known that our teacher and rabbi, the gaon, exemplar of his generation, the rabbi and teacher Judah bar Bezalel, who is known as R. Loew of Prague, of blessed memory, in several places in his…
Testament (New York)
In the Name of God Amen I Simja de Tores latte of Jamaica Widow being indisposed, and weak in body but of sound mind and memorey and knowin the Certenty of death and the Uncertanity of Its Approch doe…
Appointment of a Rabbi in Prague
Now we have already informed all those present of the main point: we have come to inform and announce and make known to His Excellency, because this is the custom, what it is his duty toward us. For…
Responsum: On a Dispute over a Shipment of Wax
Question: The following incident occurred in Rhodes: Reuben purchased 530 okes of wax from Simeon via a third party. Reuben did not take this wax into his possession; rather, as soon as he bought it…
A Supplication for the Day of Atonement
For Yom Kippur, with the help of God, may He be praised.
Another supplication [teḥinah]. I have founded it as the former ones, have established it, and upheld it.
I the young one, Meir, son of our…