Exploring a Forgotten World: A Social History of Medieval Jewry as Revealed in the Cairo Genizah

This ancient-era version of reality TV gives you a front-row seat to the drama, gossip, legal transactions, and other daily intrigues – straight from the Middle Ages. This course brings to life an exotic era in Jewish history, revealing the inner thoughts of real-life characters exploring the daily interactions and behaviors of Jewish men, women and families living along the Mediterranean more than 1,000 years ago. All of this has been uncovered through the discovery of a collection of worn-out scraps, text fragments, and documents from ancient times. Join us for a journey of intrigue and adventure!

Table of Contents

Lesson 1 – From Untouched to Internationally Acclaimed Documents

Lesson 2 – Revealing a Forgotten World

Lesson 3 – Family Life: Betrothal and Marriage

Lesson 4 – Family Life and Education

Lesson 5 – Commerce: Perilous Conditions

Lesson 6 – Commercial Endeavors: Challenges and Concerns

Lesson 7 – Tracing the Lives of Saadia Gaon, Yehudah haLevi, and Moshe ben Maimon as Reflected in Genizah Documents

Lesson 8 – Outstanding Personalities from the Genizah

Lesson 9 – Women in the Genizah

Lesson 10 – Technology Prevails: What Does the Future Holdfor the Cairo Genizah?

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