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.
Destruction at Beitar
Because of a rooster and a hen, the king’s mountain was destroyed. There was a practice that when a bride and groom went out [to be married, people] would bring a rooster and a hen before them, as if…
The Rule of the Community
[ . . . ] All those who submit freely to his truth will convey all their knowledge, their strength, and their property to the Community of…
Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple and the End Times
As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone…
Justification by Faith
We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ…
Augustus Appoints Archelaus Ethnarch
After Caesar had heard these pleadings, he dismissed the assembly. But a few days later, he appointed Archelaus, not as king but as ethnarch of half the territory that had been subject to Herod…
Jewish War Captives Settle in Alexandria
But I thought that there was an opportune moment concerning matters about which I frequently asked Sosibius of Tarentum and Andreas, the head…
An Ideal Scribe
He seeks out the wisdom of all the ancients,
and is concerned with prophecies;
he preserves the sayings of the famous…
Herod’s Renovation of the Temple
Josephus’ Jewish Antiquities includes a detailed account of Herod’s renovation of the Temple in the late first century BCE. See also “Renovation of the Temple” and the jerusalem temple.
The Hasmoneans Claim the High Priesthood
When the people heard these things they said, “How shall we thank Simon and his sons? For he and his brothers and the house of his father have stood firm; they have fought and repulsed Israel’s…
The Origin of the Levitical Priesthood
There I again saw the vision as formerly, after we had been there seventy days. And I saw seven men in white clothing, who were saying to me, “Arise, put on the vestments of the priesthood, the…
The Synagogue as Repository of Books and Funds
But if anyone is discovered stealing their sacred books, or their sacred money, whether it be from the synagogue or banquet hall, he shall be deemed a sacrilegious person, and his property shall be…
Roman Imperial Legislation regarding the Patriarch
the same two augusti to caesarius, praefectus praetorio
The Jews shall be bound to their rites; while we shall imitate the…