All rights reserved – The National Library of Israel 2017 ©
Judaism
If you haven’t heard of Yalta yet, it’s okay – many people haven’t. But as the second most mentioned woman in the Talmud, Yalta does deserve more fame, especially as her daring escapades left many speechless. Often described as the ‘first Jewish feminist,’ Yalta was a leading woman of the time, going around smashing barrels of wine, adjudicating for women’s issues, contradicting the highest regarded rabbis, and rewriting ancient laws to finally include women in Jewish practices
Get our stories directly to your inbox
The six pointed star represents peace and harmony in Buddhism, while alchemists believed it symbolized nature—how did the Star of David acquire its significance in Judaism?
How the biblical figure of Naamah evolved into a terrifying demon that rises from the depths of the sea to seduce the men of the world
Gabriel, the archangel in charge of Heaven’s heavy lifting
The story of the three angels charged with safeguarding newborn babies and their mothers
Diaspora, Judaism
Learn how a traditional Jewish prayer melody inspired everyone – from classical composers to filmmakers to psychedelic rock bands.
These methods will help you discover if you are in possession of an ancient book containing mystical powers, or perhaps not
Dracula? He’s nothing compared to the first vampire in history, the one and only Lilith. Among her many “hobbies”: hounding humankind, causing crib death and night emissions in men, and sucking blood.
How did we come to celebrate the New Year in the fall when in the Bible it was celebrated in the spring? And what is the origin of the first month’s peculiar name?
How did the pointed hat of European aristocracy become an anti-Jewish Symbol? And was it the forerunner of the modern skullcap?
Parents have probably been singing songs to their children since the dawn of history, but “Chad Gadya” – composed specifically to help children stay awake until the very end of the Passover Seder – may be the first song ever printed specially for children
Sender
Email address
Enter your e-mail below to receive the most interesting, quality content about the treasures preserved in the National Library!
Just write the the next story
Your e-mail has been submitted
