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 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…
Prayer of Simon the High Priest for Israel’s Deliverance
Then the high priest Simon, facing the sanctuary, bending his knees and extending his hands with calm dignity, prayed as follows: “Lord, Lord, king of the heavens, and sovereign of all creation…
Rabbah’s Prayer for Rain
[King Shapur’s mother] sent a message to Rabbah: Concentrate your mind and pray for divine mercy, for there is no rainfall. He prayed:
Master of the Universe!…
A Litany for Fast Days
Answer us, our Father, answer us!
Answer us, our Redeemer, answer us!
Answer us, our Seeker, answer us!…
Gender Differences in Torah Education
And teach them to your children (Deuteronomy 11:19–21): your sons and not your daughters, the words of R. Yosi b. Akiva. On the basis of the verse at hand they [the rabbis] have said: When a child…
The Obligations of Agricultural Workers
Workers may recite [the Shema‘] from atop a tree, and they may recite the Prayer from atop an olive tree or from atop a fig tree. But from all other kinds of trees one must come down to recite the…
Jesus’ Teachings on Charity and Public Giving
[I]f anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone…
Pilgrims Swell Jerusalem’s Population
The total number of prisoners taken in the whole course of the war amounted to 97,000: and the number of those who died in the siege from beginning to end was 1,100,000. The majority of these were of…
In Defense of the Sabbath
After this continuous unbroken feast which has neither beginning nor end, the second to be observed is the sacred seventh day, recurring with six days between. Some have given to it the name of virgin…