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.
Emperor Julian’s Policy on the Jews
To the Community of the Jews
[ . . . ] Wishing you to fare even better, I have recommended to my brother Julus, the most reverent patriarch, that that which is called among you apostle-tax be…
Samuel and King Shapur
King Shapur said to Samuel, “You say that the Messiah arrives on a donkey. I will send him one of my horses!” [Samuel] responded, “Do you have a donkey that is a thousand colors?”
King Yazdgird and the Exilarch’s Daughter
The city of Susa and Šūštar were built by Šīšīnduxt, the wife of Yazdgird, the son of Šābuhr, since she was the daughter of Reš Galut [exilarch, lit., head of the diaspora—Ed.], the king of the Jews…
Persecution under Vespasian, Trajan, and Hadrian
1:45. For these do I weep (Lamentations 1:16). Vespasian loaded three ships with the nobles of Jerusalem in order to place them in the Roman houses of prostitution. They [the noblemen] stood up and…
The Exilarch’s Sinning Servants
The exilarch said to R. Sheshet [who was blind], “Why do you not dine with us?” He said to him, “Because [your] servants are suspected of [transgressing the prohibition of eating] a limb from a live…
Philo on the Therapeutae
The practice of these philosophers is shown at once by their designation, for they are appropriately called “ministers” (Therapeutae), male and female, either insofar as they…
Jesus Teaches in a Synagogue in Galilee
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by…
Disagreements over Jewish and Gentile Relations
For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I…
An Archisynagōgos Berates Jesus
Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to…
The Arrest and Trial of Peter and John
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in…
Inscriptions by Private Individuals
Yahūda’ Yakkuf erected, laid the foundations and completed his house Yakrub from its foundations to the top with the help and grace of his Lord who created his person, Lord of…
On the Inadequacy of Translation
Many great teachings have been given to us through the Law and the Prophets and the others that followed them, and for these we should praise Israel for instruction and wisdom. Now, those who read the…