Sefaria

Summary. Sefaria (sefaria.org) is a free, open-source library of Jewish texts in Hebrew and English. It contains the full Tanakh, Mishnah, Talmud Bavli and Yerushalmi, Midrashic literature, the major medieval commentaries (Rashi, Rambam, Ramban, Ibn Ezra, Sforno, and many more), the Shulchan Aruch, Mishnah Berurah, the Zohar, and much else. Texts are richly cross-linked: any verse, mishnah, or talmudic passage shows its connections to other texts throughout the corpus. Sefaria is the indispensable digital tool for anyone learning Jewish texts in the 21st century.

What's On It

Tanakh — full text in Hebrew with multiple English translations (Koren, JPS 1917, JPS 1985, and others).

Mishnah — full text, with Bartenura, Rambam's commentary, and others.

Talmud Bavli — full text in Hebrew/Aramaic, with the William Davidson Translation (English, by Adin Steinsaltz's team).

Talmud Yerushalmi — full text with selected commentary.

Midrashic literature — Bereshit Rabbah, Vayikra Rabbah, the entire Tanchuma, Pesikta de-Rav Kahana, the Midrash Tehillim, the Mekhilta, and more.

Halacha — Rambam's Mishneh Torah, the Tur, the Shulchan Aruch, the Mishnah Berurah, the Aruch HaShulchan, and much else.

Liturgy — the siddur and machzor (multiple nusachot), the Haggadah, the Selichot.

Modern works — Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks's Covenant & Conversation; selected works by Steinsaltz, Hirsch, the Lubavitcher Rebbe; a growing collection.

Source sheets — user-generated thematic collections, made by rabbis, educators, and learners.

How to Use It

Search by reference (e.g., "Berachot 25b" or "Genesis 1:1") or by keyword. Hover over any verse in the Tanakh to see the commentaries on that verse. Click on a link to see the connected text. Create source sheets to organize material for a class or a study session — Sefaria's source sheet tool is the closest thing in Judaism to a research-paper builder. The mobile app brings the entire library to a phone.

What It Costs

Sefaria is entirely free, supported by donations. It is one of the great gifts of contemporary Jewish life. Consider donating once you become a regular user.

Limitations

Sefaria is not a substitute for owning physical seforim. Reading the Talmud on a phone is not the same experience as opening a Vilna Shas in chevruta. Sefaria's commentaries vary in quality of translation. Some classical works are not yet fully translated. But for cross-reference, search, and accessibility, no other tool comes close.

Where Denominations Diverge

Sefaria's editorial team is intentionally pluralistic; the texts and translations are drawn from across the spectrum. Some Modern Orthodox educators (notably at YU) have voiced concern about the inclusion of certain Reform and Reconstructionist sources; others have embraced the platform as the future of Jewish learning. The website is in active development; new texts are added regularly.

Sources

The William Davidson Talmud — Sefaria.

Sefaria Mobile Apps — Sefaria.

Steinsaltz | About Us — Steinsaltz Center.

sefaria.org

Sefaria's About page and editorial standards.

Further Reading

Sefaria.org/help — the comprehensive user guide.

Sefaria's blog — for new texts and features.