Name: Sefaria: Jewish Texts Library
Rating: 4.47523 (545 reviews)

User Reviews for Sefaria: Jewish Texts Library

4.48 out of 5

545 Ratings

1 year ago, LionDog963

Wonderful app with one complaint

I don’t want to sound ungrateful, because I am grateful for the wonderful app; but could you please add English translation to the entirety of texts outside the Tanakh. It’s really disappointing when you read the first few chapters only to discover that the rest of a text isn’t translated. I wish my Hebrew were better, and I’m working on it, but I don’t think I’ll be able to read Hebrew that well anytime soon… Et me know if I’m wrong and need to reinstall the app.

1 year ago, Λάκων

Unbelievable

This app is a pure, no-foolin’ miracle: a treasure, a wonder, a beautiful thing done by beautiful, beautiful people. The bona-fide lamed-vavniks involved in the making of it have my deepest respect and admiration for making free, to even the most clueless of us gentiles, the wisdom of the ancients. Ready access, for example, to the Onkelos targum is a source of great help, especially where the more difficult passages of the Torah (e.g. Gen 4:7) are concerned. My only suggestion (and in my eagerness to write this I haven’t spent much time with the settings, so perhaps I’m just a fool) is that one be able to read side-by-side, e.g., the Hebrew and Aramaic (that is, the Torah on one side, targum on other). Thanks again to the developers, programmers, linguists, compilers, and all the rest! יהי שׁם יהוה מברך

6 years ago, Touchedbybluefierylight

A Chest of Treasures

This app is absolutely wonderful. I find that it is helping to greatly increase my knowledge and understanding of many aspects of the Way. Spanning the earliest scriptural and liturgical writings through the Rabbinical Commentaries and thoughts, through the mystical texts, to current and contemporaneous scholarly works. May the Lord God Almighty, King of the Universe, Yehovah, Bless and Protect the memory of the Man to whom this Sefaria is dedicated; his loving and righteous family; the Children of Israel, Levy, and Cohen; all those who love and fear and adore Yehovah; Righteous of the Nations who are with Israel and the Hebrew People. May Yehovah Bless and Protect all those who read and study this great work, the Sefaria. May Yehovah Bless and protect and protect the State of Israel, its leadership, and the Israelis; and the United States of America, friend of Israel; the President and leadership of the United States, and the righteous of the American people. Amen. Shema Israel: Yehovah Eloheynu, Yehovah Echad. Amen אלוהים, מלך היקום, יהוה, יברך ויגן על זכרו של האדם שאליו מוקדש ספר זה. ואלוהים יברך את משפחתו האוהבת והצודקת. יהוה יברך את ישראל, לוי וכהן. יברך את כל מי שאוהב את יהוה. יהוה יברך את כל מי שקורא ומלמד את היצירה הגדולה של הספרייה. יהוה יברך ויגן על מדינת ישראל, על הנהגתה ועל קדושת ישראל. יהוה יברך את ארצות הברית של אמריקה, ידידת ישראל הגדולה ביותר, את נשיא ארצות הברית ואת מנהיגיה ואת העם האמריקני. שמע ישראל, ה 'אלוהינו הוא יהוה אחד. אָמֵן

5 years ago, Boomsky7

One of the most wonderful Torah resources available

I personally recommend this app to anyone who will listen. The size of the library is tremendous and is constantly growing. Combining that with the fact that it’s completely free makes this one of the most wonderful Torah resources I’ve ever seen. I think it is the very tool K’lal Yisroel needs in the digital age and it’s executed beautifully. Everything from the development infrastructure (I’ve looked at the GitHub repo multiple times and as a developer I’m very impressed) to the design, is of outstanding & modern quality. I would like to personally say thank you to everyone at Sefaria.

4 years ago, LookLearnLove

Game changer!!

First of all, you should know that I never write reviews for apps but decided to make an exception because of how much I love it. I have a bookcase filled with real books on the Bible but I rarely use it anymore because it’s all available on my phone!! I literally use it every day for my daily Talmud class, to study the Torah portion, or to source commentaries or new ideas. Anytime, anywhere. Thank you Sefaria for making the Torah so accessible and intuitive to use, and for bringing God’s word including ancient Jewish wisdom to a modern, technological world. God bless you!!

7 years ago, Mikmeister

Excellent resource!

And totally free! The interface is beautiful and the text in English and Hebrew is clear and legible. They could improve the search feature. It finds whatever term ask but here's the problem: when you tap on the selection it opens in a page where there is a ton of Hebrew and then you scroll and scroll and scroll. When you get to the translation your search term is not highlighted anywhere. You basically have to look for it. Like a needle in a haystack....but it's in there somewhere.

8 months ago, agingerwithasoul

Excellent

This is an excellent app that contains many of the texts a person would want to read and learn. One of the best tools is the highlight and define feature. HOWEVER, it does not always work. A Vav (and) could throw off the reading and no definition will be provided. It would be helpful if when we highlight and there is no definition, we could edit it to remove the vav or any prefix etc. so that the system would be able to define the word.

1 year ago, gaycrepes

My Sefaria App Hasn’t Worked In A Month

My Sefaria app hasn’t worked in about a month and it’s making me very unhappy. This is one of my main sources of Torah when on the go and it hasn’t been working in a long while. It just shows the blue Sefaria opening screen and never anything else. It’s been stuck like that for a while now and I really need it to come back as I am chronically ill and mentally ill and Torah is one of the only thing that helps. Of course I have a paper version (JPS Tanakh) but I admittedly don’t bring it everywhere with me so I would be extremely grateful if this could be resolved. I have updated it countless times, restarted my phone, pretty much everything. Please help.

7 years ago, Meir Bargeron

Fanatastic Resource, Please Fix iOS 11 Bug

As a rabbinical student, I use Sefaria just about every day. It is a fantastic resource that just keeps getting better. Since the rollout of iOS 11, the iPad app has a new bug. After using the app for a few minutes, the screen will often “flicker” when I return to the app from another app. The only to stop this flicker effect is to quit the app and start again....and then it happens again. This is definitely a hit to my productivity. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS BUG AND FIX IT! Thanks for offering us a wonderful service.

12 months ago, play_box456

Very good app, just need something

Don’t get me wrong this is a good app, it is helping me start my conversion and helping me get started on living a life of reading the Torah, and knowing all the daily prayers in the siddur, I wish though that there was transliterated words for everything as I am interested in it, I just don’t know how to read Hebrew yet. So if maybe those can be added in, it will help not only me but those to come looking for ways to immerse yourself in the religious aspect of Judaism.

6 years ago, Micshot

This app is amazing!

This app is very well thought out and very inclusive and deep. I love the translations, as my Hebrew level is still very low, but the access to materials in English, and for free, is amazing! Pro User Request: I do a lot of note taking and app switching and iOS 11 has had the ability for over a year that it can split screen and even have an app in the tinier window attached to the side of the screen, having these features in the app would be so helpful.

2 years ago, cheesecakelvrrr

Simply the best

I cannot overstate how much I love having the Sefaria app on my phone. I used to always just use the website but I’m glad I finally took the plunge and got it on my phone too - I had no idea how handy it would be! I can look things up so easily. Plus having all the texts available without cell service or internet is a game-changer. Highly recommend for anyone interested in Jewish texts.

4 years ago, yapishkahilt

Almost perfect

A great resource to be sure, but it doesn’t appear to have any way for a reader to add notes for one’s own use. (If there is, it’s certainly not accessible in a usable way.) This is the only critical feedback I have, although it’s actually a usability deal breaker for me.

4 years ago, BluesQueen

Love this app; iPhone reads its text in Japanese

No matter if my app setting is English or Bilingual, the built-in up to date iOS iPhone 7 page reader speaks it to me in Japanese. That is not, nor ever has been a setting on my iPhone, and I have ‘read’ hundreds of books/articles/pages in the English voiceover. Any idea why? I have checked my system Accessibility settings, even changed from male to female English voice. No change. Thank you for any help.

5 years ago, ikilimnik

Amazing performance and UX!

Baruch HaShem for your guys monumental work on all the Jewish scriptures translation and digitizing. I am a daily user of Sefaria app. Big thanks for the William Davidson Talmud. (I am Koren’s Talmud admirer). Sefaria app is a VERY serious ArtScroll’s competition. In many aspects Sefaria app delivers better features and higher quality of design and performance. It is unbelievable what you guys did and continuing to do! Beazrat HaShem you will never stop! The app is simply great! Super fast indexing and search and a wonderful UX. A feature request: is there is anyway to have a setting for the G-d name. Many people may prefer to see HaShem instead of the Lord. I understand it is the Open Source text, nevertheless do you have it anywhere on the road map? :) Thank you once again and keep it coming Sefaria Team!

2 years ago, blakebrownie35

THE UI IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL UPGRADE FROM BEFORE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

The UI is such an incredible upgrade from when this app first started out!!! Of course, there’s so much more room for modernizing and improving the user interface further; however, I want to commend the Sefaria team on their advancements of the app as a whole and of course their tremendous array of texts that are provided to anyone and everyone for FREE! G-d bless you.

1 year ago, Yø-c

Multiple tabs

Still can’t believe this app is free… unbelievable resource! Just a request - it would be super convenient if there would be an option for keeping multiple tabs open in different sefarim, for those who have multiple limudim and want to switch between them easily.

1 year ago, MarquisDeParadox

Incredible resource

I am so grateful for the depth and breadth of this library, and the ease of use and access to so many sources through the app. It has helped increase the level of meaning in my life. My only concern is I am unable to open the app since upgrading to an iPhone 14 pro with iOS 16.5.1. Unfortunately it crashes before opening.

5 years ago, bavansm

Can we please get all books in audio form?!

Can I say, this is a person and friend best friend, it continues with all text from Torah and informs on every aspect on the way. Unfortunately there’s some bugs and errors but in time it’ll be #1. Unfortunately there’s no audio and would be a good idea to install, especially if you would like too read along.

2 years ago, SoldinSeattle

Didn’t open…solved

The app didn’t open on my iPhone ; after posting my original review, the developer reached out and suggested that I delete and reinstall it, which I did, solving the problem. 5 stars for both the amazing resources through this app as well as the responsiveness and helpfulness of the developer!

2 years ago, Shoe Lacious

Bad update

Love the app and website, and recommend it often. But the new (March 2023) mobile UI is *awful*. What was once clean & clear is now a wall of text with a ton of scrolling and no visual markers for where you are. Please bring the old look back! I didn’t even mind all the typos (in the Fox chumash) and display problems (cutting off end of Talmud paragraphs in portrait view) as long as it was easy to navigate. | Edit: Also, the “See all” link under Learning Schedules crashes the mobile app (tested on iPad and iPhone). Please fix soon!

4 years ago, Joseph0566

Love the app but more English translations would be nice

I’ve been using this app for about a week or so and I will say this is amazing, I never would’ve thought I could have the Jewish canon on my phone for free! My only issue is that there needs to be more English translations, especially in the Kabbalah and in the Mishneh Torah and the Shulchan Arukh. That would be my only little gripe.

2 years ago, jawnvaljawn

constantly loading (ETA: FIXED)

ETA: this problem was resolved per developer response (uninstalling and reinstalling the app). thank you! I’m on an iphone 13 pro max and I can’t use this app. I just have a perpetual loading screen. app support doesn’t work either, since it’s in the app. please fix this

6 years ago, Catscats55555

great app

i enjoy using this app very much, i love the ability to read talmud and commentary as you read through tanakh. i understand why many texts aren’t available in english, as i can only imagine how hard it is to translate so many texts. however, i think a feature that prioritized english texts when clicking on a verse would be useful. i find myself sometimes s rolling through many hebrew passages looking for an english one to supplement. a feature that prioritized hebrew or english would be helpful for searching and reading after clicking a verse for more information.

5 years ago, jwkskkwkkmsme

Amazing

The best you can use it is free and it has everything on it with English translation and it’s organized very properly and when ever you click on a sentence it will show the rashi’s and every person that comments on it and a lot more stuff it just such an amazing app to use.

2 years ago, Sonotahunter

The most important innovation to Jewish learning

The importance of this app cannot be questioned. Never before have people had such access to Jewish wisdom. I do not know what I would do without it. It is unparalleled in its offerings and simply the most incredible resource.

3 years ago, Happy Clientel

Update deleted features

I’ve had this app for almost a year and there were key features to this app I really adored such as being able to zoom into the text by pinching the screen and highlighting individual words that provided a drop down list to see the word in the apps Lexicon, with other notes tied to it. This definitely wasn’t a progressive update for researchers.

4 years ago, K. Ruth

A Perfect 10, but...

I love this app and depend on it immensely in my research. It has everything one could ask for. I would give it a perfect 10, but for some reason the app keeps freezing up on me and sometimes will only load a half a page.

2 years ago, SwiaFam

Great for being Maver Sedrah

This is the best Jewish app out there. It’s is perfect for Shnayim mikra because it has a clear font and adjustable setting settings for everyone. It has Chumash, Gemara, mishnayis and everything one might need. If you’re looking for a pocket Sefer, this is the app for you

5 years ago, Mouse07410av

Great app - provides so many good books!

An excellent app, offering free access to many key books of Jewish tradition, spanning all the areas from the Torah itself to Sifrei Kabbalah. For many of these books both the original Hebrew and it's English translation are available. Great job - Chazak uBarukh!

2 years ago, itsYahboyhere

Absolutely essential

This is indeed the most valuable app/resource available on the Hebrew Scriptures. It’s pure manna from heaven. Thank you all for the hard work that it took/takes to keep this available to everyone. Baruch HaShem

2 months ago, Simple Theory

Fabulous Resource

Tanahk, Torah, and a vast library more of Jewish texts and commentary with translations. All this literature compacted into digital format with cross reference. Whatever your interest level, from casual to scholar, this is an amazing resource. Furthermore, completely free and continuingly evolving.

1 year ago, Rebteaneck

A pleasure to use and a wealth of information

I’ve been using sefaria for many years as a valuable source and resource and it is truly a wealth of information at your fingertips

1 year ago, lacoqui

Not opening

Not sure why the app doesn’t open. It was a great product. Will give it a higher rating star once it gets fixed.

3 years ago, sarahalmanrode

App won’t load

Love the app! Super sad that for the last few weeks the app appears to be broken, it won’t load, just get a spinning grey wheel. Hoping it gets fixed soon.

4 years ago, binde22j

Amazing! Wish there was a Dark Mode

Incredible app! I highly recommend. I really wish there was a Dark Mode option. I have a lot of light sensitivity and a Dark Mode option would make this app MUCH more accessible.

2 years ago, ShoshiDoPDX

Great for both Torah study and improving biblical Hebrew

This is an incredibly well-made app. So user-friendly and portable, I read it on an iPad mini and it’s really just perfect. Thank you to the generous donors who sponsored this project!

3 years ago, Shmuelik

Good BUT..

while I appreciate the effort to put all of this together and creating such a huge library of Torah, the navigation makes me not want to learn. i.e. I select from the main menu Tanakh/Rashi/Rashi on Samuel. now if I want to go back one step I can’t. There is no back button. I can X out but then I’m back on the main page and have to find everything again. I also want that the app remembers where I left off, or shows me my recent texts I learned. If it’s already built in then the UX is really not on par. Thank you for reading this and hope you can implement this into an app that could be world class. Shmuel

4 months ago, WEshelman

Indispensable

Amazing and indispensable. Especially for any non-specialist, or whatever “stripe” — whether Christian or Jew or even one who is simply curious about ancient texts. True “One Stop Shopping” for a wide number of essential texts.

2 years ago, Fedya Dolokhov

Very helpful up until it stopped loading

I used this app for a while until after some time the app stopped opening. I’m not sure if it is just my internet connection or if this is a problem with the app itself.

6 years ago, Melexh

Changed the World

This app has changed world. A simple concept but utterly unprecedented and well executed. I’m already starting to find it amazing that there was Jewish learning before Sefaria. I use the app everyday—always with joy.

2 years ago, SupertimFLA

The best app for these resources

No other app gives the volume of writings in English and Hebrew anywhere. My learning has increased dramatically! All the blessings to those who make this possible!

4 years ago, Originator 88

Very impressive

So far this is a very impressive app. Lots of content in a very clean interface and it’s easy to navigate. It makes it simple to read commentary and references to each passage made in other texts. Really nice.

6 months ago, aerolover4ever

Amazing!

Absolutely love this app! I was using the desktop version exclusively, especially for my academic studies, and then I found out about the app version. It is awesome and I’m so thankful for it! 💙

6 years ago, AryehM

👍. Future, Source sheets??

Great resource, beautifully designed, user interface is clean - all around great. Any chance the “resources” section on the website will ever be available on the app as well (source sheets, #topics, visualizations, etc.)?

2 years ago, sunshinechristina

A true treasure chest of Torah knowledge

I am grateful for the time and effort that has led to such an extensive and free (donations welcome) resource of Hebrew understanding of the Scriptures. This has allowed me to discern a much clearer understanding of the history of the world and Hashems words and the mitzvahs.

3 years ago, Whatchmysix

5 year review

I have been using this app at least five years, no other apps in this genre compared by me come close to matching it!!

4 years ago, Bhguhffghjh

This app is insane

The amount of content is mind blowing, because they’ve already connected everything for you. I don’t know of any better resource.

1 year ago, And It Was...

Awesome App!

My Bar Mitzvah is in a couple years, and being able to study my parsha without having to flip through a Chumash is a game changer!

1 year ago, globeshuffler

Great, but stopped working

The app now freezes at the blue dedication screen, and eventually quits. I tried deleting and re-installing, no luck. [iPhone 13, up to date OS]

Description

Explore our online Siddur, Torah, Tanakh, Tehillim, and so much more. We are taking the People of the Book into the digital age, and with just 500 MB you can download the entire library to access all texts offline. Our interface is simple and user-friendly: delve deep into the texts with the swipe of a finger. Get information on specific topics, such as Passover - the next holiday on our calendar, Daf Yomi, search using keywords, or browse the table of contents to explore texts, translations, and commentaries, and explore the connections between works in the library. Whether you're looking to get a deeper look at the Hebrew Bible, study tehillim, do your Talmud homework, prepare words of Torah for your Shabbat meal, recite the Bedtime Shema with your children, or say Birkat Hamazon after you eat, you've come to the right app. We offer an ever-growing list of translations for key texts, making these textual treasures available to communities around the world. We currently offer works in English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Finnish, Portuguese, Persian, Polish, Russian, and Yiddish. Get full access to: * Calendars for Parashat HaShavua (weekly Torah reading), Daf Yomi (daily Oral Torah learning), 929 (daily Tanakh), Rambam Yomi (daily Rambam teaching), and Mishnah Yomi (daily Mishnah) * Torah commentaries in English including Rashi, Or HaChaim, Rashbam, and many more * Over 50 commentaries on Tanakh - Ibn Ezra, Ramban, Haamek Davar Gur Aryeh, and more * Over 15 Mishnah commentaries including Bartenura, Ikar Tosafot Yom Tov, Rambam, and more * Over 30 Talmud Bavli commentaries including Rashi, Tosafot, Rashba, and more * Siddur including daily davening and Birkat Hamazon * As well as Midrash, Halacha, Kabbalah, Tanya, Haggadah, Zohar, Chasidut, Musar, Pirkei Avot, Tehillim, and more, with new texts added to the library all the time. Our mission as a non-profit organization is to allow more people access to engage with the textual treasures of our tradition. As we move our texts from print to digital we are creating not merely an archive but a platform to give these texts new life. Our free, living library of Jewish texts is allowing us to build the future of Jewish learning in an open and participatory way. Download our app or learn more at www.sefaria.org