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.
Rabban Gamaliel’s Prayer at Sea
Rabban Gamaliel was aboard a ship. A huge wave came up to drown him. He thought: “It seems to me that this is only happening on account of Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus” [who had been put under a ban].…
Vanity of Vanities
The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under…
Jews as Servants or Sons of God
It was taught, R. Meir used to say: A litigant might respond to you and say, “If your God loves the poor, why does God not sustain them?” [If so,] say to [the litigant], “In order that we might be…
Rabbis Teaching in Study Houses
It has been taught: Who is this teacher of his who taught him wisdom? Anyone who introduced him [to learning] at the beginning, the words of R. Meir. R. Yudan says: Anyone from whom he has most of his…
Life in the Street and the Courtyard
One may not open a bakery or a dyer’s shop under his fellow’s storehouse, nor [under] a cattle stall. In truth, they have permitted these things under a wine store but not a cattle stall. A man may…
Babatha’s Loan to Her Second Husband, Judah
In the consulship of Publius Metilius Nepos for the 2nd time and Marcus Annius Libo ten days before the kalends of March, and by the compute of the new province of Arabia year twenty-second on the…
Jesus’ Apostles Filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were…
Purim Rejoicing
R. Judah ben R. Samuel bar Sheilat said in the name of Rav: Just as when Av begins one decreases rejoicing, so too when [the month of] Adar begins, one increases rejoicing.
Foreign Bills of Divorce
One who brings a get from abroad [to the land of Israel] must declare, “In my presence it was written and in my presence it was signed.” Rabban Gamaliel says: Even one who brings it from Rekem or from…
The Food of Outsiders
20. Meat that is found in the possession of a non-Jew: one is permitted to derive benefit from it. [Meat found] in the possession of a heretic: one is prohibited from deriving benefit from it. [Meat]…
The Soul and the Body Testify
R. Judah ben R. Naḥmani, the translator for Resh Lakish, expounded: What is the meaning of Do not trust a friend; do not put your faith in a general; guard what comes out of your mouth from her who…
Immortality Is the Reward for Martyrdom
Truly the contest in which they were engaged was divine, for on that day virtue gave the awards and tested them for their endurance. The prize was immortality in endless life. Eleazar was the…