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.
Alexander and the Birthright of Israel
And to the sons of the concubines that Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts (Genesis 25:6). In the days of Alexander the Macedonian, the children of Ishmael came to challenge Israel regarding the…
Standing for the Patriarch
In y. Bikkurim 3:3, 65c–d and y. Horayot 3:9, 48c, the rabbis reshape Roman customs of honor, redirecting respect from rulers to Torah and the sages who embody its wisdom.
Pharisees and Sadducees on Resurrection
When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the…
Some Precepts of the Torah
These are some of our regulations [concerning the law of G]od, that are pa[rt of] the precepts we [are examining and] they [a]ll relate to [ .…
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay…
Polemic against Festivals
But I do not think you need to learn from me about their anxiety over food, their superstition about the sabbath, their arrogance over circumcision, and the pretense they make of fasting and of their…
Rabbinic Criticism of the High Priest
With regard to [the prominent priests] and those like them, Abba Saul ben Batnit said in the name of Abba Joseph ben Ḥanin: Woe is me due to [the high priests of]…
Jonathan Confirms Friendship with Rome
Jonathan, having therefore achieved a glorious victory and killed two thousand of the enemy, returned to Jerusalem. So when he saw that all his affairs were succeeding, in his view, through the…
The Praise of Wisdom
Wisdom praises herself,
and tells of her glory in the midst of her people. [ . . . ]
“I came forth from the mouth of the…
Eleazar, Scribe and Martyr
Eleazar, one of the scribes in high position, a man now advanced in age and of noble presence, was being forced to open his mouth to eat swine’s flesh. But he, welcoming death with honor rather…
The Temple as Sacred Space
8. Within the wall [of Jerusalem] was holier [than outside the wall], for they would eat the lesser holy offerings and the produce of the second tithe there. The Temple Mount was holier than [within…
Priests Attempt to Prevent Revolt
Alarmed at this demonstration, the political leaders and the chief priests tore their clothes and made grovelling appeals throughout the crowd, imploring them to desist, and not to add to what they…