Unearthing Babylonian Treasure Caches and Textual Fluidity within Massekhet Kelim

This paper explores the Hebrew-language treasure-text known as Massekhet Kelim and argues for the existence and situation of two versions of the text within different networks of ancient and medieval Jewish texts. It separates the two versions that have previously been published eclectically, describing the character of each and their emergent treasure-maps. One version (B) can be more easily assimilated to a broad network of works that place Temple treasure caches within the boundaries of the Holy Land. Another version (J) emphasizes caches in and around Babylonia, an unusual perspective within the reception history of Temple vessel traditions. This paper also attends to the material contexts in which we find the two versions and newly highlights paratextual features that might have shaped their respective attestations, establishing grounds for further research into the textual history of this layered and complex collection of Temple treasure traditions.