Rebecca J. W. Jefferson - Böcker

This is the second volume of the bibliography of published material from the Cambridge Genizah collections, the first having appeared in 1988. It is an indispensable tool for scholars, serving as a guide to every book, article and reference dealing with the 140,000 Genizah fragments at Cambridge. Most areas of Jewish studies are represented here. The data is presented in large format, and the main reference section contains over 25,000 items of information. In addition, the book contains listings of material arranged according to author, and of works cited, as well as addenda and corrigenda to the first volume.

The Cairo Genizah is considered one of the world’s greatest Hebrew manuscript treasures. Yet the story of how over a quarter of a million fragments hidden in Egypt were discovered and distributed around the world, before becoming collectively known as “The Cairo Genizah,” is far more convoluted and compelling than previously told. The full story involves an international cast of scholars, librarians, archaeologists, excavators, collectors, dealers and agents, operating from the mid-nineteenth to the early twentieth century, and all acting with varying motivations and intentions in a race for the spoils.Basing her research on a wealth of archival materials, Jefferson reconstructs how these protagonists used their various networks to create key alliances, or to blaze lone trails, each one on a quest to recover ancient manuscripts. Following in their footsteps, she takes the reader on a journey down into ancient caves and tombs, under medieval rubbish mounds, into hidden attic rooms, vaults, basements and wells, along labyrinthine souks, and behind the doors of private clubs and cloistered colleges. Along the way, the reader will also learn about the importance of establishing manuscript provenance and authenticity, and the impact to our understanding of the past when either factor is in doubt.