List of the Songs of Ascents (Pss 120-134) in the Cairo Genizah

The Songs of Ascents (Pss 120–34) are an important part of the morning liturgy of the rite of the land of Israel, which existed until about the thirteen century ce and was then gradually replaced by the Babylonian rite. In the Cairo Genizah there are fragments containing lists of Pss 120–34 in various formats. All of them can be dated to the period from the tenth to the thirteenth century in Fustat. Given that these lists are single pieces in the Cairo Genizah, they have to be analysed without their specific context. After an introductory presentation on the lists in the Cairo Genizah, Ullrich presents an in-depth material and literary analysis, which includes structure, design, and material inspection of the lists. The most noticeable common feature of the lists examined is their small size. In addition, shorthand is used in all the fragments. Sometimes the place of the psalm in the prayer can be deduced from other entries. In some of them, the psalms were written on the back of the fragment, which suggests a secondary use of the fragment paper. As a conclusion of the analysis, it can be stated that these lists were probably private liturgical lists that may have served as memory aids to/in prayer.