1st Edition

A Jewish Archive from Old Cairo The History of Cambridge University's Genizah Collection

By Stefan Reif Copyright 2000
    300 Pages
    by Routledge

    300 Pages
    by Routledge

    Explains how Cairo came to have its important Genizah archive, how Cambridge developed its interests in Hebraica, and how a number of colourful figures brought about the connection between the two centres. Also shows the importance of the Genizah material for Jewish cultural history.

    LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, INTRODUCTION, 1 A WONDROUS JEWISH SITE, 2 THE CAMBRIDGE CONNECTION, 3 DETAILS OF THE CAST, 4 TEXTS IN TRANSIT, 5 WHOLLY FOR BIBLE, 6 IN RABBINIC GARB, 7 POLITICS, PLACES AND PERSONALITIES, 8 EVERYDAY LIFE, 9 BOOKISH AND LETTERED, 10 A CENTURY REACHED, INDEXES

    Biography

    Stefan Reif

    'A lively and accessible account of the discovery and study of the Cairo Genizah, a major source of material for the history of Oriental Jewish communities and Mediterranean society in general. This book is highly recommended' - Judith Olszowy-Schlanger, Journal of Jewish Studies

    Reif's pioneering work is an excellent introduction to the Genizah ... in a lucid and concise style, and with the help of sixty photographs and maps and an excellent internal organisation, the book is a most interesting work which should be reccommended to a wide range of readers.' - Journal of Semitic Studies Vol. 47: 2

    'For his decades of service to this cause and for this book in particular, Professor Reif deserves our admiration and thanks.' - The Jewish Quarterly Review, XCIII, Nos. 3-4 (January-April, 2003)

    'Not only does the book's compiler, Professor Reif, possess impeccable scholarly credentials...but many of its non-specialist readers - and this is a book which deserves to have many readers - will certainly echo this reviewer's gratitude for the commitment expressed in his introduced to the cause of communicating the results of specialist academic research to a wider interested public.' - Christopher Shackle, Bulletin of SOAS