The European Genizah: its character and the history of its study

Using Hebrew manuscripts to bind books and cover archival documents was a widespread practice (by both Jews and Christians) during the late medieval and early modern periods, until the 17th century, and primarily in countries with thriving Jewish communities: Italy, Germany, and Austria in Central Europe, and Spain in Western Europe. Additional fragments have been discovered in regions bordering these countries: Alsace, western Hungary, southern Poland, and the Czech Lands. Relatively few fragments have been discovered in a long list of other European counries. Presents examples of such manuscript fragments and discusses their importance. .