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.
Ḥoni’s Prayers for Rain and Cessation of Rain
Once, most of [the month of] Adar had passed but rain had [still] not fallen. They sent [this message] to Ḥoni the Circle Drawer: Pray, and rain will fall. He prayed, but no rain fell. He drew a…
A Poetic Introduction to the Yom Kippur Service (Seder ha-‘avodah)
When all was not,
You were all that was,
and when You prepared all
You filled all.…
The Sayings of Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai and His Students
9. [R. Yoḥanan] said to them, “Go forth and observe which is the right path to which a person should cleave.” R. Eliezer said, “A good eye.” R. Joshua said, “A good associate.” R. Yosi said, “A good…
The Martyrdom of R. Akiva
When they took R. Akiva out to be executed, it was time for the recitation of the Shema‘. And they were raking his flesh with iron combs, and he was [reciting the Shema‘, thereby] accepting upon…
The Balsam Industry in the Jordan Valley
After Cleopatra obtained these gifts [of territory in Judaea and Arabia from Antony] and escorted Antony, who was campaigning against Armenia, as far as the Euphrates, she turned back and came to…
Passover Pilgrims
As the Festival of Unleavened Bread was at hand in the first month, which the Macedonians call Xanthicus and we call Nisan, all the people flowed together out of the villages to the city and…
Circumcision as Improvement on Creation
A philosopher asked R. Hoshaiah. He said to him, “If circumcision is so beloved [a commandment to the Lord], why was it not given to Adam, the first [man]?” He said to him, “Why does this man [i.e…
Death with a Divine Kiss
Let all righteous ones pray to You at the time of finding (Psalm 32:6). [ . . . ] R. Naḥman bar Isaac said: The time of finding refers to death, as it is said: Findings [totsa’ot] at death (Psalm 68…
Resurrection as Reward for the Righteous
And when he was at his last breath, he said, “You accursed wretch, you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we…
Eternal Worms and Fire
If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.aAnd if your foot causes you to stumble…
Poultices, Knots, and Recitations
[Hebrew] R. Yosi ben R. Bun in the name of R. Yosi: In the case of a wound that has healed, one may put on it [some sort of] poultice [on the Sabbath], because it serves only to protect it. R. Abun in…
The Status and Character Traits of People Engaging in Medical Practices
Hebrew
[However,] R. Judah used to say in his [Abba Guriya’s] name: The majority of the donkey drivers are wicked, but most camel drivers are decent [people]. The majority of the…