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.
Takkanot Fiorda (Regulations of Fürth)
1. A head of household, student, or youth—be he local or a foreigner, whether he eats for free, or pays for his food—may not wear a camisol [vest] of gold cloth or brocade with…
Appointment of Jacob Abendana
In the Name of the Blessed God.In consideration of the fact that it is needful for the prosperity of this Kaal Kados [congregation—Ed.], which God bless, to have the service of a Haham who should…
Ḥayye ‘olam (Eternal Life)
Chapter 15. In Explanation of Bills of Exchange Called Cambii and of Maritime Insurance
We could have dispensed with the discussion of bills of exchange which are called in Italian cambii since they…
Reflexoens politicos tocante a constituaçāo da Naçāo Judaica (Political Reflections Concerning the Constitution of the Jewish Nation)
No matter what the body of the Nation, be it in the form of a kingdom or a republic, it comprises various classes of people; as for the nobles, who make the state blossom through commerce, increased…
Responsum: On Arranging for an Eruv
With God’s Help.
From one generation to the next, our ancestors have removed obstacles from the path of the people so that they not unwittingly stumble into sin [Isa 57:14], particularly [with respect…
Mishpat u-tsedakah be-Ya‘akov (Judgment and Righteousness [Are] in Jacob)
It has been a long, sorrowful time that Mr. Solomon Ha-Kohen of Tangier (may God protect him) has been living here with us in Fez (may God protect it), upset angry, and bitter. We did not know what…
Vikuaḥ mayim ḥayim (Dispute of “Living Waters”)
And just as a person finds pleasant only such food as he has prepared himself, in accordance with what he wishes to eat, and has no desire whatsoever to depend upon his neighbor’s table, so too, he…
Sefer ha-ḥezyonot (The Book of Visions): The Soul of the Gentile
In the year 5332 [1572], we went out in the fields and we passed the grave of a gentile that was more than a thousand years old. His Animus was seen on his tombstone and he tried to harm me and kill…
Founding Charter
In the year five thousand three hundred twenty-four [1564] of the Creation of the World, when we are returned to the houses of our fathers from the four corners of the world. After the expulsion in…
Me’ah she‘arim (A Hundred Gates)
After we have proved that it is more suitable for man to be careful with the rational commandments than with all other types of commandments, we must say that this exalted commandment, i.e…
Libes briv (Love Letter)
I must first briefly describe human nature. Namely, we people contain within us the four fundamental [elements] like all other species of creation that are below us or inferior to us. It…
Divre Neḥemiah (The Words of Nehemiah)
Thus said the author, Nehemiah Ḥiya, son of my master, my father, Moses Ḥayun: I myself know that all who see this book will be greatly astonished, and they will say, “Look at the…