The Cairo Geniza refers to more than three hundred thousand Jewish manuscript remains discovered in Ben Ezra's synagogue storeroom in Egypt's old Cairo Geniza. These manuscripts give an account of a period spanning 1000 years ranging from the 870CE to the 19TH century period and form a basis of most historical studies that are done today. It gives a historic account of the Jewish, North African and Middle Eastern people. In fact, it comprises of the most significant manuscripts in the world with its diverse medieval collections. The texts in these manuscripts are of different languages including Arabic, Hebrew and Aramaic. In addition, it is written on paper, which is the most common, but other materials such as vellum, cloth and papyrus are also used.

 

Contents of the Cairo Geniza

 

The important document shows a significant account of the Jewish region as seen in the recordings of biblical accounts, the Talmudic writings as well as the Rabbinic with some of this content containing some of the original works all of which are very important in the modern day religious studies. In addition to this, it gives a glimpse into the cultural and economic lifestyles of the North Africans and Eastern Mediterranean dwellers between the 10th and 13th centuries thus making it easy for historians to study and make references to this period.

 

This account is dispersed in a number of universities across the world including Manchester and Cambridge universities. In addition, more manuscripts were found in Basatin cemetery in the Easter side of old Cairo Geniza.

 

Discovery of the Cairo Geniza

 

Simon Van Gelderen did the initial mention of this writings in either 1752 or 1753 when he first visited the Ben Ezra synagogue but not much was said during the writings back then. Later in 1864, a scholar and traveler known as Jacob Saphir visited the same synagogue where he spent two days exploring the content. Although he did not make any significant findings during his two-day exploration he made suggestions that there could be something important in the chamber that needed to be explored further.

 

Later in 1896, Agness and Margaret who were twin sisters after their visit to Egypt and probably the synagogue, brought back some of the fragments of the Geniza to a friend known as Solomon Schechter in Cambridge for further investigations. Solomon Schechter realized the significance of the material and made a journey out to Egypt to investigate further.

 

 He was assisted by the chief rabbi to separate the biggest part of the Geniza from its original chamber. This was the start of how the numerous fragments of this writings have spread all over the universities in the world. In fact, most of these fragments are used as references in certain studies including theology. If you want to read more, check out http://www.britannica.com/topic/genizah.