Sefaria API MCP

Provides access to the Sefaria API MCP server for retrieving, searching, and exploring Jewish texts and related content via MCP interface.

MCP server for accessing the Sefaria API - the largest open-source database of Jewish texts.

Description

This skill provides guidance and helper tools for using the Sefaria API MCP server. Access the complete library of Jewish texts including Torah, Talmud, Mishnah, commentaries, and more through a simple MCP interface.

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/davad00/sefaria-api-mcp.git
cd sefaria-api-mcp

2. Install dependencies:

npm install

3. Build the project:

npm run build

Tools

connect

Starts the Sefaria API MCP server.

Arguments:

• port (optional): Port number (default: 8080)

Example:

{
  "name": "connect",
  "arguments": {
    "port": 8080
  }
}

use

Shows example usage patterns for all available Sefaria MCP tools.

Example:

{
  "name": "use"
}

Available MCP Tools

Once the MCP server is running, you have access to:

Text Retrieval

• get_text - Get text by reference (e.g., 'Genesis 1:1', 'Shabbat 2b')
• get_text_v1 - Legacy v1 text endpoint
• get_random_text - Get random text segment
• get_manuscripts - Get manuscript variants

Search & Discovery

• search - Full-text search across library
• find_refs - Parse text to find Sefaria references
• get_toc - Table of contents (all available texts)
• get_category - Texts in a specific category

Related Content

• get_related - All related content (links, sheets, topics)
• get_links - Cross-references to other sources
• get_topics - Topic details
• get_all_topics - List all topics
• get_ref_topic_links - Topics linked to a reference

Lookup

• get_index - Text metadata (structure, versions)
• get_shape - Text structure
• get_lexicon - Hebrew word definitions
• get_versions - Available translations

Calendar

• get_calendars - Get today's Torah readings and Jewish calendar information

Example Usage

// Get Genesis 1:1
{
  "name": "get_text",
  "arguments": { "tref": "Genesis 1:1" }
}

// Search for "love"
{
  "name": "search",
  "arguments": { "q": "love", "limit": 5 }
}

// Parse references from text
{
  "name": "find_refs",
  "arguments": { "text": "As it says in Shabbat 31a" }
}

// Get today's readings
{
  "name": "get_calendars"
}

Configuration

Add to your MCP configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sefaria": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["path/to/sefaria-api-mcp/dist/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

Links

• GitHub Repository
• Sefaria API Documentation
• Model Context Protocol

License

MIT License - Free to use, modify, and redistribute.

Support

For issues or questions:

• Open an issue on GitHub
• Check the Sefaria API docs