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.
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…
Jesus’ Crucifixion and Death
And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.
It was…
Paul’s Recognition of Jesus as Son of God and Messiah
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who…
Paul as Prophesied by Isaiah
Why then does your god, like the apostle, still rest his case upon the same document? What has he, here and everywhere, to do with the statements of the prophets? For who has known the mind of the…
Herod’s Conflict with the Sanhedrin and His Revenge
When Hyrcanus heard this, he complied with them. The mothers of those who had been slain by Herod further raised his indignation, for those women continued appealing to the king and the people every…
Inscriptions by Ḥimyarite High Officials
Qayl (Prince) Sharaḥ’īl Yaqbul, son of Shuraḥb’īl Yakmul of the lineage of Yaz’an and Jadanum, Ḥabbum, Nas’ān, and Ghaba’, have described in this inscription what they accomplished in…
The Samaritan Pentateuch
But unto the place which Shehmaa your Eloowwem has chosen from all your tribes, to put His name there for his dwelling, you shall seek, and there you all shall come.
Incomplete and Separate Scrolls
The people of the Galilee sent [a question] to R. Ḥelbo: What is [the halakhah with regard] to reading from ḥumashim, [i.e., scrolls containing only one of the five books of the Torah,] in the…
The Service of the High Priest on Yom Kippur
The leader of his brothers and the pride of his people
was the high priest, Simeon son of Onias,
who in his life repaired the house,
and in his time fortified the temple. [ . . . ]
How…