Encounters with Maimonides: Jewish Women in Cairo Genizah Society

The documents found in the Cairo Genizah have revealed a great deal about women’s lives in medieval Jewish society under Islamic rule. One of the extant sources is the collection of responses (questions and answers) presented to Maimonides (1138-1204) published by Joshua Blau. By means of reading and analyzing some of these responsa, interesting insights will be gained concerning women’s contact with Jewish courts and their coping mechanisms.