Daf PDF Viewer API Documentation

This API provides access to Gemara Tzuras Hadaf PDF files. Request a specific masechta (tractate) and daf (page) to receive the corresponding PDF.

PDF Attribution and Redistribution

These PDF files are sourced from HebrewBooks.org, where they are made available for free, non-commercial redistribution with attribution under the terms of the HebrewBooks.org Limited License.

If you redistribute these files, you must do so free of charge, retain all original attribution notices (including credit to HebrewBooks.org and Moznaim / הוצאת ח. וגשל), retain our attribution (Shas.org), and include the full text of the HebrewBooks.org Paragraph 1 License Terms.

Attribution Example:

Scanned Shas provided courtesy of shas.org (http://shas.org/dafviewer), hebrewbooks.org (https://www.hebrewbooks.org/shas) and Moznaim (הוצאת ח. וגשל);
Redistributed free for non-commercial, educational use under the HebrewBooks License (https://web.archive.org/web/20101028043253/http://hebrewbooks.org/media/terms.html).

Base URL

https://www.shas.org/daf-pdf/api/

Endpoints

Request Parameters

Available Masechtot

Use these exact masechta names in your API requests (case-insensitive):

Note: Some masechtot end on amud 'a' rather than 'b'. Attempting to access a non-existent amud 'b' will return an error.

Examples

GET /?masechta=berachos&daf=2

GET /?masechta=shabbos&daf=5&amud=b

GET /?masechta=bava-metzia&daf=10&amud=a&format=json

{
  "success": true,
  "masechta": "Bava Metzia",
  "daf": 10,
  "amud": "a",
  "page_number": 3043,
  "pdf_url": "3043.pdf",
  "file_size": 1234567
}

Error Responses

{
  "error": "Missing masechta parameter",
  "message": "Please provide a masechta name (e.g., ?masechta=berachos&daf=2)"
}

{
  "error": "Invalid masechta",
  "message": "Masechta 'invalid' not found",
  "available_masechtot": ["berachos", "shabbos", ...]
}

{
  "error": "Daf out of range",
  "message": "Masechta Berachos only has 64 dapim",
  "max_daf": 64
}

{
  "error": "Amud does not exist",
  "message": "Masechta Berachos ends at daf 64a (amud aleph only)",
  "last_daf": 64,
  "last_amud": "a"
}

{
  "error": "PDF not found",
  "message": "PDF file for page 1234 does not exist",
  "requested": {
    "masechta": "Berachos",
    "daf": 10,
    "amud": "a",
    "page_number": 1234
  }
}

Usage Tips

• Masechta names: Use lowercase and hyphens for multi-word names (e.g., bava-kamma, rosh-hashanah)
• Daf numbering: Starts from 2 (Talmudic convention)
• Ending amudim: Some masechtot end on amud aleph (17 total). The API will return an error if you request amud bet for these last dapim
• Amud options: You can use a, aleph, or 1 for amud aleph; b, bet, or 2 for amud bet
• Meilah aliases: Use kinim, tamid, or middos to access specific sections within the Meilah volume (see masechta list above for daf ranges)
• Direct PDF access: By default, the API serves the PDF file directly for easy embedding in web pages
• JSON metadata: Add &format=json to get file information without downloading the PDF

Integration Example (JavaScript)

// Fetch and display a PDF
function loadDaf(masechta, daf, amud = 'a') {
    const url = `https://www.shas.org/daf-pdf/api/?masechta=${masechta}&daf=${daf}&amud=${amud}`;

    // Display PDF in iframe
    document.getElementById('pdf-viewer').src = url;

    // Or get metadata
    fetch(`${url}&format=json`)
        .then(response => response.json())
        .then(data => {
            console.log('Loaded:', data.masechta, data.daf, data.amud);
        });
}

// Example usage
loadDaf('berachos', 2, 'a');