Hidden treasures in the attic: The secret of the Franconian genizot
Have you ever heard that old attics in synagogues can hold far more than just dust and oblivion? Since the 1980s, over seventy so-called genizot (Hebrew for ‘repositories’ or storage places) have been rediscovered in Central Europe – and particularly here in the Franconian region.
But what exactly lies behind this fascinating term?
A sacred ‘safe’ for the written word
A genizah is a special room in or near a synagogue. For centuries, it served as a final resting place for texts and artefacts that were no longer needed but were too sacred to simply throw away. Whether damaged prayer books, discarded writings or even heretical texts – anything bearing the name of God found its place here.
More than just waste paper: Magic and mysticism
But why did the communities go to such lengths? Our BaFID expert on Judaism, Dr. Nathanael Riemer, has investigated this question. In his recently published article, he sheds light on the background to this phenomenon in Central Europe.
His research reveals a fascinating connection: the emotional and spiritual significance of the Genizot is closely linked to the spread of Kabbalah in the early modern period. For the people of that time, the discarded documents were far more than mere waste paper:
- Magical protection: As the texts contained the holy name of God written in Hebrew letters, they were regarded as powerful talismans against misfortune.
- Spiritual bridge: It was believed that these places acted as a kind of ‘portkey’, capable of connecting the earthly community directly with the heavenly world.
Read now: Research accessible to all
The findings of this study are not only of great interest to specialists but also shed a whole new light on the Jewish heritage in our region.
The full article by Dr Nathanael Riemer has been published in the US academic journal *Jewish Folklore and Ethnology* (Wayne University Press). Best of all, it is now available as a free open-access PDF.
👉 [Click here to download the article]
Riemer, Nathanael (2025) ““Holy Trash” and the Tears of the Deceased: The Emotional Role of Genizot for the Jewish Communities of Central Europe,” Jewish Folklore and Ethnology: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 1.