Primary Texts Index

The "imprimatur" by Isaac de Lattes
Translated by: Bernard Cooperman, University of Maryland

1. Rules for the expurgation of the Hebrew Books
Translated by: Federica Francesconi, University of California-Los Angeles

The 1616 Regulations for the Jews of Amsterdam
Translated by: Miriam Bodian and Wijnie de Groot

2. Report regarding Hebrew Books sent by the Reverend Father Inquisitor
Ciro Yaghel, 1624
Translated by: Federica Francesconi, University of California-Los Angeles

3. Commentary by R. Salomon [Rashi] on the laws
Translated by: Federica Francesconi, University of California-Los Angeles

4. Testimony by Aaron Berechia da Modena
Translated by: Federica Francesconi, University of California-Los Angeles

Abraham Klausner, Minhagim
Translated by: Adam Shear, University of Pittsburgh

The Awakening of a Living Man
Translated by: Shuki Ecker, Tel Aviv University

Book of Customs (MS Frankfurt hebr. oct. 227)
Translated by: Lucia Raspe, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main

Book of Customs (MS Oxford Can. Or. 12)
Anonymous, 1553
Translated by: Lucia Raspe, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main

The Book of Rabbi Mordecai
Translated by: Adam Shear, University of Pittsburgh

Bull of Sixtus IV
Pope Sixtus IV, 1478
Translated by: Kenneth Stow, Haifa University

A Comedy of Betrothal
Leone de Sommi, mid-sixteenth century
Translated by: Roni Weinstein, University of Pisa

Communal Decision of June 8, 1606 in Pisa
Pinkas Pisa, 1606
Translated by: Bernard Cooperman

Communal Logbook of Altona (CAHJP AHW 14 [50])
Translated by: Debra Kaplan, Yeshiva University

Communal Logbook of Altona (CAHJP AHW 14 [90])
Translated by: Debra Kaplan, Yeshiva University

Communal Logbook of Altona (CAHJP AHW 14 [91])
Translated by: Debra Kaplan, Yeshiva University

community records of Mainz
Translated by: Stefan Litt, Bar Ilan University, Israel / Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Austria

Community Statutes of Ühlfeld
Translated by: Stefan Litt, Bar Ilan University, Israel / Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Austria

Compendium of Memorial Prayers
Translated by: Rachel Greenblatt, Harvard University

Congregation Shearith Israel in New York
Translated by: Eli Faber, Emeritus, John Jay College (CUNY)

A Court Official's Personal Record Book
Hayyim Gundersheim Dayyan, 1774
Translated by: Edward Fram, Ben-Gurion University

Court record from Lublin Castl
Translated by: Jerzy Mazur, Towson University - Baltimore Hebrew Institute

The court records of istanbul
Translated by: Yaron Ben-Naeh, Hebrew University, Jerusalem

Cracow Community Ordinance of 5355
Community Constitution, 1595
Translated by: Adam Teller, University of Haifa

Criminal Trial Concerning the Innocent Child Jan Krosnowski
Stefan Żuchowski, 1713?
Translated by: Magda Teter

The Custom book of R. Juspa of Worms
Juspa of Worms, 17th century
Translated by: Rachel Furst

Decree banning Jewish commerce in Strassburg
Bernhart Wurbmser the Knight, the Mayor and Council of Strassburg, 1530
Translated by: Debra Kaplan, Yeshiva University

A Decree by the Tribunal of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania,
Court Records, 1700
Translated by: Magda Teter

Decree of the Hamburg Senate in Response to Josel Joseph Jonas' Petition
Translated by: David Horowitz, Columbia University

Decree of the Lithuanian Tribunal against the Kahal of Minsk
Lithuanian Tribunal, 1711
Translated by: Magda Teter, Wesleyan University

A Decree of the Lithuanian Tribunal concerning Jews in Brest
Translated by: Magda Teter, Wesleyan University

Divine Warnings against the Vain Idolatry of the Gentiles
Translated by: Adam Sutcliffe, King's College London

Domestic Interiors of Two Viennese Jewish Elites
Probate Court in Vienna, 1730s
Translated by: David Horowitz, Columbia University

Exhortation to those who fear the Lord, not to fall into sin due to lack of understanding of the precepts of his Holy Law.
Translated by: Anne Albert, University of Pennsylvania

The Expulsion of the Marranos From Venice
Translated by: Benjamin Ravid, Brandeis University

Extended Privilege Granted to the Jews of Great Poland
King Kazimierz Jagiellończyk, 1453
Translated by: Adam Teller, University of Haifa

The First Charter of the Levantine and Ponentine Jewish Merchants of Venice
Translated by: Benjamin Ravid, Brandeis University

Formulae of a Jewish Maid’s Marriage Contract (ketubah)
Itzhak Zabakh, 1635
Translated by: Ruth Lamdan, Tel Aviv University

The Gate of [Contemplative] Intentions, Concerning Sabbath Eve
Hayyim Vital, 1570s
Translated by: Lawrence Fine, Mount Holyoke College

The Glory of Youth
Pinhas Baruch Monselice, Mid seventeenth century
Translated by: Roni Weinstein, University of Pisa

Haag Jewish Community Minute Book
Pinkas, 1723-1798
Translated by: Stefan Litt, Bar Ilan University, Israel / Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Austria

Havvot Yair, Responsum 66
Yair Hayyim Bacharach, 1699
Translated by: Debra Kaplan, Yeshiva University

Havvot Yair, Responsum 73
Yair Bacharach, 1699
Translated by: Debra Kaplan, Yeshiva University

Here follow the names of the Hebrew authors and books which Andreas Masius used in writing these commentaries
Translated by: Theodor Dunkelgrün, Committee on Social Thought, University of Chicago

A History of Sicily in Twenty (parts)
Translated by: Nadia Zeldes, The Hebrew University, Mandel Institute for Jewish Studies, Jerusalem

Images of Jewish Display Silver
Translated by: Vivian Mann, Jewish Museum/Jewish Theological Seminary

Images of the Jewish Wedding
Translated by: Shalom Sabar, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Inquisition file of Lope de Vera y Alarcón
Translated by: Miriam Bodian, University of Texas at Austin

Inventory of the belongings of Lazaro Nantua
Translated by: Flora Cassen, New York University

Inventory of the possessions of the licentiate Francisco Maldonado de Silva
Translated by: Miriam Bodian, University of Texas at Austin

Inventory of the Property of Leon Modena
Translated by: Benjamin Ravid, Brandeis University

Inventory of the Property of the Late Daniel Rodrigha
Translated by: Benjamin Ravid, Brandeis University

Isaac’s Fear
Isaac Lampronti, early eighteenth century
Translated by: David Malkiel, Bar-Ilan University

Israel Avenged
Translated by: Adam Sutcliffe, King's College London

The Jampol Community and Town Privilege
Michał Kazimierz Radziwiłł, 1711, 1753
Translated by: Adam Teller, University of Haifa

Jewish Settlement in Livorno
Atti Civili del Ufficio di governatore di Livorno, 1605, 1610
Translated by: Bernard Cooperman, University of Maryland

The Jewish Synagogue
Johannes Buxtorf, 1603
Translated by: Alan D. Corré

Keshet U-Magen
Simeon ben Zemah Duran, 14th - 15th centuries
Translated by: Talya Fishman, University of Pennsylvania

The Letter (Privilege) with the Royal Seal Presented by Rabbi Schachno from the Lublin's Suburb
Translated by: Jerzy Mazur, Towson University - Baltimore Hebrew Institute

Letter by Podesta of Gavi
Translated by: Flora Cassen, New York University

Letter copybook (1)
Translated by: Evelyne Oliel Grausz, Université Paris 1 Sorbonne

Letter copybook (2)
Translated by: Evelyne Oliel Grausz, Université Paris 1 Sorbonne

Letter copybook (3)
Translated by: Evelyne Oliel Grausz, Université Paris 1 Sorbonne

Letter copybook (4)
Translated by: Evelyne Oliel Grausz, Université Paris 1 Sorbonne

Letter from Jerusalem
Obadiah of Bertinoro, 1488
Translated by: Elliott Horowitz, Bar-Ilan University

Letter from Josel of Rosheim to the magistrates of Strasbourg
Josel of Rosheim, 1534
Translated by: Debra Kaplan, Yeshiva University

Letter from Josel of Rosheim to the magistrates of the city of Strasbourg
Josel of Rosheim, ca 1534
Translated by: Debra Kaplan, Yeshiva University

Letter from Lazarus of Surbourg to the magistrates of Hagenau
Lazarus of Surbourg, 1575
Translated by: Debra Kaplan, Yeshiva University

Letter of Josel Joseph Jonas to the Senate in Hamburg
Translated by: David Horowitz, Columbia University

A Letter to Chief Rabbi Raffael Natan Tedesco of Trieste
Relle Luzzatto Morschene, January 24, 1794
Translated by: Lois Dubin, Smith College

The Letters of Bella Perlhefter
Bella Perlhefter, 1674-75
Translated by: Elisheva Carlebach, Queens College, CUNY, New York

Levi ben Gershon (Gersonides)
Translated by: Adam Shear, University of Pittsburgh

Light for the Evening
Translated by: Pawel Maciejko, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The lips of those who are asleep
Translated by: Avriel Bar-Levav, The Open University of Israel

Marriage Contract Between Abraham Jacob and Sara Kassell
Abraham Jacob, November 25, 1754
Translated by: Tom Safley

The Meeting of The Holy Council [of the Lithuanian Land] at Mir, November-December 1751
Translated by: Adam Teller, University of Haifa

Memorial Prayers from the Pinkas Synagogue, Prague
Translated by: Rachel Greenblatt, Harvard University

Merciful and benevolent children of Israel
Translated by: Shalhevet Dotan-Ofir, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem

Minhat Yehuda
Yehuda Hayat, 1558
Translated by: Boaz Huss, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Minute book of the Jewish Community in Frankfurt on the Oder
Translated by: Cornelia Aust, University of Pennsylvania

Minutes Book of the Council of the Jewish Community of Padua 1577-1603
Jewish Community of Padua, Italy, 1582
Translated by: David Malkiel, Bar-Ilan University

Mitpahat Sefarim
Yakov Emden, 1769
Translated by: Boaz Huss, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Mysterium: About the Conversion of the Jews
Elias Schadeus, 1592
Translated by: Debra Kaplan, Yeshiva University

On the Origins and History of Palermo
Translated by: Nadia Zeldes, The Hebrew University, Mandel Institute for Jewish Studies, Jerusalem

The Order of Women's Commandments
Benjamin Slonik, 1577
Translated by: Edward Fram, Ben-Gurion University

Ordinance from the Pinkas of the Jewish Community in Poznań
Pinkas, 1686
Translated by: Adam Teller, University of Haifa

Paolo Sarpi, the Venetian Consultore in Iure, on the case of Simon Gomez
Paolo Sarpi, 1616
Translated by: Benjamin Ravid, Brandeis University

Petition of Jewish Merchants of Pisa to Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo II
Moise Sulema, Jacob Levi, Raffaele Coen, Abram Penso and Abram de Luscena, 1618
Translated by: Bernard Cooperman, University of Maryland

Petition of the Jewish Elders of the Ashkenazi Synagogue in Hamburg
Translated by: David Horowitz, Columbia University

Pinkas Shamash Altona
Translated by: Elisheva Carlebach, Queens College, CUNY, New York

Pleasant Ways
Translated by: Yaron Ben-Naeh, Hebrew University, Jerusalem

Praises Which Zealous [Men] Dedicated to the Wonderful Memory of Abraham Nunez Bernal, Who was Burned Alive Sanctifying the Name of his Creator in Cordova on May 3rd 5415 [=1655]
Translated by: Limor Mintz-Manor, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Privilege and Statute of Maria Theresia
Maria Theresia, 1771
Translated by: Lois Dubin, Smith College

Privilege for the Jews of Lwów
Marek Matczyński, March 21, 1692
Translated by: Adam Teller, University of Haifa

Privilege for the Jews of the Przemyśl Region and Rus'
Stefan Czarniecki, March 17, 1660
Translated by: Adam Teller, University of Haifa

The Proceedings of the Old Bailey
Translated by: Todd Endelman, University of Michigan

Protocol of Altona Jewish Court
Translated by: Noa Shashar, Hebrew University, Jerusalem

Reasons for the Commandments concerning “Be Fruitful and Multiply”
Hayyim Vital, 1570s
Translated by: Lawrence Fine, Mount Holyoke College

Records of the Metz Beit Din
Court Records, (1771-1789)
Translated by: Jay Berkovitz, University of Massachusetts

Regulations of the Jewish Council in Jaroslaw
Translated by: Adam Teller, University of Haifa

Responsa Be'er Yitzhak
Yitzhak ben Avraham, before 1685
Translated by: Adam Teller, University of Haifa

Responsa Maharshal
Maharshal (Solomon Luria), 2nd half of the 16th century, 1st half of the 17th century
Translated by: Elimelekh Westreich

Responsa Maharshal
מהרש''ל -שלמה לוריא, 2nd half of the 16th century, 1st half of the 17th century
Translated by: Elimelech (Melech) Westreich, Tel Aviv University Law School

Responsa of Rabbenu Nissim of Gerona
Translated by: Bernard Cooperman, University of Maryland

Responsa of Rabbi Azriel Diena
Azriel Diena, 1528
Translated by: David Malkiel, Bar-Ilan University

Responsum 257
Samuel Aboab, 17th Century
Translated by: David Katz, University of Maryland

Responsum 86 Masa'at Binyamin and the Ordinances of the Council of Lithuania
Benjamin Slonik and Council of Lithuania, 1632, 1637, 1650
Translated by: Magda Teter, Wesleyan University

Responsum She'elot u'Teshuvot Hakham Zvi no. 6
Hakham Zvi Ashkenazi, 1699
Translated by: David Katz, University of Maryland

Respuesta A Un Cavallero Frances
Orobio de Castro, 17th century
Translated by: Talya Fishman, University of Pennsylvania

The Roaring Lion
Translated by: Yaacob Dweck, Princeton University

A ruling against rabbis who have sought to delay the printing of the Zohar
Isaac de Lattes,
Translated by: Bernard Cooperman, University of Maryland

The Second Charter of the Levantine and Ponentine Jewish Merchants of Venice
Translated by: Benjamin Ravid, Brandeis University

Sefer Ha-Heshek
Hillel Baal Shem, 1739
Translated by: Moshe Rosman, Bar-Ilan University

Sefer Zikhronot-Book of Remembrances
Samuel Aboab, 1650
Translated by: Bernard Cooperman, University of Maryland

Sefer `Ets Hayyim
Hayyim Vital, 1572
Translated by: by Menahem Kallus and Brian Ogren

Sermons Which were Delivered by the Talented Gentlemen of the Kahal Kadosh [=holy congregation] Talmud Torah, in this city of Amsterdam, in the happy opening, and public celebration of the building that was dedicated to God, as a house of prayer, for which festivities commenced on Sabath Nahamu. . Year 5435 [=1675].
Translated by: Limor Mintz-Manor, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

She'elot u-Teshuvot Yakhin u-Vo'az
Zemah ben Shlomo Duran, 15th century
Translated by: Talya Fishman, University of Pennsylvania

Shem Tov Soporto
Notaries, 16th century
Translated by: Kenneth Stow, Haifa University

Shlomo Lutzker's Introduction to Magid Devarav Le-Ya'akov: Likutei Amarim
Translated by: Moshe Rosman, Bar-Ilan University

The Shtetl in Context
Translated by: Thomas Hubka, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Shulhan `arukh
Translated by: Edward Fram, Ben-Gurion University

Shulkhan Arukh, Glosses by Moses Isserles
Moses Isserles, 2nd half of the 16th century, 1st half of the 17th century
Translated by: Elimelech (Melech) Westreich, Tel Aviv University Law School

Siftei Kohen-The Priest's Lips
Translated by: Edward Fram, Ben-Gurion University

Supplication
Bunim Szlomowicz, 18th Century
Translated by: Adam Teller, University of Haifa

Supplication of Josel Josef Jonas of Hamburg
Translated by: David Horowitz, Columbia University

Supplication of Samuel Ullman to Emperor Ferdinand II in case of restitution ct. the Landgraf Wilhelm of Leuchtenberg, s. D.
Translated by: Barbara Staudinger, Institute for Jewish History in Austria

Supplication of the Franconian Jews to Emperor Maximilian II in case of a ritual murder accusation, s. D.
Translated by: Barbara Staudinger, Institute for Jewish History in Austria

Taverns and Public Drinking in Florence
Public Records, 1571, 1608
Translated by: Stefanie Siegmund, University of Michigan

Testament 128
Translated by: Stefanie Siegmund, Jewish Theological Seminary

Tract on the Jews
Translated by: Kenneth Stow, Haifa University

The Triumph of Popular Government
Daniel Levi (a.k.a. Miguel) de Barrios, 1683
Translated by: Anne Albert, University of Pennsylvania

Tsene Rene
Translated by: Shlomo Berger, University of Amsterdam

Turei Zahab-The Golden Columns
Translated by: Edward Fram, Ben-Gurion University

Two Cases of Apostasy in Dubno in 1716
Records of the Court in Dubno, 1716
Translated by: Magda Teter, Wesleyan University

Two criminal cases in the court of the city of Lublin
Translated by: Magda Teter, Wesleyan University

Voice of a Fool
Anonymous (attributed to Leone Modena), 1623
Translated by: Talya Fishman, University of Pennsylvania

The Will of David Theodore [Todros] Kozuchowski
David Todros Kozuchowski, 1647
Translated by: Moshe Rosman, Bar-Ilan University

Wonderful, adventuresome and highly comical stories and deeds of the world-famous people of Schildburg in Mesopotamia beyond Utopia
Translated by: Ruth von Bernuth, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Wonderful, strange, entertaining and amusing stories and deeds of the world-famous people of Schildburg
Translated by: Ruth von Bernuth, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Wonderful, strange, entertaining and highly comical stories and deeds of the world-famous people of Schildburg
Translated by: Ruth von Bernuth, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Woodstruck Deed
Judah b. Shabbatai, 1544
Translated by: David Malkiel, Bar-Ilan University

`Emeq haBakh'a
Yosef Ha-Cohen, 1575
Translated by: Kenneth Stow, Haifa University