Jewish Archives, Archival Practices, and Jewish-Christian Business Records in the Medieval Holy Roman Empire

Abstract This paper traces the scattered proof for Jewish archival practices, both private and communal, in the medieval Holy Roman Empire. It outlines how these archival practices aimed to organize and conserve written records. I first explain why the production of records led to the need for archival practices and their organization. I then review the available sources for Jewish private and communal archives, while bringing comparative evidence from Christian record-keeping and archival practices. This contribution also demonstrates the significance of Hebrew dorsal notes on Jewish-Christian business records. These dorsal notes are closely linked to Hebrew account books and can serve as indicators of Jewish archival practices. They shed light on the economic and cultural history of moneylending and real estate business between Jews and Christians within this chronological and geographical span. To conclude, the paper discusses the social functions that such archives held in Ashkenazic Jewish communities.