Sefaria: a Living Library of Jewish Texts Online

Tanakh

Torah, Prophets, and Writings, which together make up the Hebrew Bible, Judaism's foundational text.

Mishnah

First major work of rabbinic literature, compiled around 200 CE, documenting a multiplicity of legal opinions in the oral tradition.

Talmud

Generations of rabbinic debate about law, ethics, and Bible, structured as commentary on the Mishnah with stories interwoven.

Midrash

Interpretations and elaborations upon biblical texts, including stories, parables, and legal deductions.

Halakhah

Legal works providing guidance on all aspects of Jewish life. Rooted in past sources and growing to address changing realities.

Kabbalah

Mystical works addressing topics like God’s attributes and the relationship between God’s eternality and the finite universe.

Liturgy

Prayers, poems, and ritual texts, like Siddur and Haggadah, recited in daily worship or at specific occasions.

Jewish Thought

Jewish philosophy and theology, ranging from medieval to contemporary, analyzing topics like free will and chosenness.

Tosefta

Companion volumes to the Mishnah, containing laws and discussions that were not included in the Mishnah’s redaction.

Chasidut

Spiritual revival movement founded in the 18th century, focusing on communion with God and divinity in the material world.

Musar

Virtue-based instruction for moral and spiritual character development, ranging from medieval to contemporary.

Responsa

Answers and decisions written by rabbinic leaders in response to questions, demonstrating the application of Jewish law to actual cases.

Second Temple

Works compiled around the time period of the Second Temple, which stood for several centuries and was destroyed in 70 CE.

Reference

Dictionaries, grammar works, and encyclopedias, from medieval to contemporary.