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.
Sifra
[But every purification offering whose blood is brought to the tent of meeting to make atonement in the holy place, it shall not be eaten; it shall be burned with fire (Leviticus 6:23).]
Puri…
Alexander’s Death and His Successors
When Alexander, king of Macedon, had put an end to the dominion of the Persians and had settled affairs in Judaea in the manner described above, he died [in Babylon]. His empire fell among many…
Antipater’s Campaigns and Advance to Power
After Pompey’s death Antipater changed sides and began to curry favour with Caesar. When Mithridates of Pergamum, leading an army against Egypt, was held up at Ascalon by notice that the frontier…
Archelaus’ Rise to Power
Archelaus’ obligation to travel to Rome exposed him to a fresh outbreak of disorder. He had kept seven days’ mourning for his father and provided the usual…
Roman Corruption
Felix’s successor as procurator, Festus, set out to deal with the main plague affecting the country: he captured large numbers of the terrorizing bandits, and put a good many to death. But his…
A Mother’s Cannibal Infanticide
Meanwhile in the city the victims of famine were dropping in their thousands, and there was suffering beyond description. In every house the mere flicker of a sight of food…
Bar Kokhba Letters
From Shim‘on, son of Kosiba’ to the men of ‘Ein Gedi; to Mesabala’ and Yehonathan, son of Ba‘yan: Peace! In good (circumstances) you are dwell[i]ing; eating and drinking…
Queen Helena of Adiabene
Around this time [during the reign of Herod], Helena, queen of Adiabene, and her son Izates converted to the Jewish religion on account of the following: Monobazus, the…
The Exilarch and Rabbinic Judicial Authority
Rav said, “Whosoever wants to rule as judge and if he errs, to be exempt [from liability] and not pay, he should receive authority from the exilarchate.” And so said Samuel, “He should receive…
Yoḥanan ben Zakkai’s Escape from Jerusalem
Abba Sikkara was the leader of the zealots of Jerusalem [and] the son of the sister of R. Yoḥanan ben Zakkai. [R. Yoḥanan ben Zakkai] sent [a message] to him: Come to me in secret. He came, [and R…
The Grandeur of the Exilarch’s Household
Rava and R. Naḥman bar Isaac were sitting, and R. Naḥman bar Jacob passed by, sitting on a golden litter with a leek-colored garment spread over him. Rava followed him, but R. Naḥman bar Isaac did not…
Herod Is Smitten with Mariamme
There was a citizen of Jerusalem, Simeon, the son of a certain Alexandrian, Boethus, one of the well-known priests, and he had a daughter who was considered the most beautiful woman at that time. So…