Geniza Book Lists as Indirect Sources of Medieval Jewish Book History in the Near East

The article explores book lists from the Cairo Geniza as indirect evidence of medieval Jewish book history in the Near East, focusing on their content, format, and cultural significance. These lists provide insights into private and public libraries, book trade, and the broader intellectual environment, including details about the physical characteristics of books, such as codices, scrolls, and rotuli. They also reveal the diversity of manuscripts, ranging from biblical texts to scientific and philosophical works, including medical treatises and translations of Greek classics. The lists highlight the interaction between Jewish, Islamic, and Christian traditions, documenting books in Hebrew, Arabic, and bilingual formats. The study sheds light on the role of scribes, booksellers, and scholars in preserving and disseminating knowledge, while also detailing the physical features, dimensions, and formats of manuscripts that reflect the book economy of the time.