Jewish Medical Practitioners in the Medieval Muslim World: A Collective Biography

This book explores the lives of over 600 Jewish physicians and pharmacists in medieval Muslim lands, offering a unique insight into their lives, families, and communities. It analyzes the biographical data to provide information on the relationships between Jews, Muslims, and Christians, and between the common people and the elite. It includes 6 maps, 29 family trees, and 10 tables of key periods and dynasties, main Muslim rulers, practitioners serving in courts and hospitals, converts to Islam, Karaite, and Samaritan practitioners.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 528 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

This captivating book delves into the lives of over 600 Jewish physicians and pharmacists who resided in medieval Muslim lands. It provides a unique and insightful perspective into the lives of these Jewish practitioners, their families, and communities across medieval Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran, North Africa, Sicily, and Andalusia. Through meticulous analysis of the biographical data, the book sheds light on the intricate relationships between Jews, Muslims, and Christians, as well as the dynamics between the common people and the elite.

The book includes a wealth of information, including 6 detailed maps, 29 comprehensive family trees of key dynasties, and 10 informative tables that provide a timeline of major periods and dynasties, prominent Muslim rulers, Jewish practitioners serving in courts and hospitals, converts to Islam, Karaite, and Samaritan practitioners.

The biographies themselves are based primarily on information gathered from the vast array of primary sources found in the Cairo Geniza, including letters, commercial documents, court orders, and lists of donors. These sources offer a rich tapestry of details about the lives and careers of the Jewish physicians and pharmacists, providing a deep understanding of their experiences and contributions to the medical field during this period.

The accompanying discussion delves into various aspects of the medicine practiced in medieval Muslim lands, encompassing the perspectives of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian practitioners. It explores the professional, daily, and personal lives of these individuals, highlighting their successes and failures, their families, Jewish communities, and inter-religious affairs. The book offers a comprehensive and nuanced view of the medical practices and cultural interactions of this period, providing valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted world of medieval medicine.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in medieval history, medicine, and culture. It offers a unique and valuable perspective on the lives of Jewish physicians and pharmacists in medieval Muslim lands, shedding light on their contributions to the medical field and their interactions with their Muslim counterparts. Through meticulous research and analysis, the book provides a rich and comprehensive understanding of this important period in history.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474483988