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

by Stefan Reif

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780700713127
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/09/2000
Series:	Culture and Civilization in the Middle East
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	300
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

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

Editorial Reviews

'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

From the Publisher