Congruences between modular forms: Raising the level and dropping Euler factors

We discuss the relationship among certain generalizations of results of Hida, Ribet, and Wiles on congruences between modular forms. Hida's result accounts for congruences in terms of the value of anl-function, and Ribet's result is related to the behavior of the period that appears there, Wiles' theory leads to a class number formula relating the value of the L-function to the size of a Galois cohomology group. The behavior of the period is used to deduce that a formula at ''nonminimal level'' is obtained from one at ''minimal level'' by dropping Euler factors from the L-function.