Geniza Lab

Letter in Ladino. The year is given, but difficult to read.

Literary text on the laws of ritual slaughter (sheḥiṭa).

Conclusion of a letter mentioning the murder of Fakhr al-ʾUmara near Alexandria and also mentioning ʾAmīr al-Jūyūsh, which was the title of Badr al-Jamālī, the Armenian general and actual ruler of Egypt, 1074-1094 (see Cohen, Jewish Self-Government, pg. 61-65). Fakhr al-ʾUmara was a title of the viziers of the sword (arbāb al-sūyūf) and was third in the ranks of such viziers (see al-Qalqashandī, Ṣubḥ al-Āʿashā, pg. 104). The vizier in question could be the brother of Nāṣir al-Dawla who was the Turkish military commander during the time of the Fatimid Caliph al-Mustanṣir Billah. He (Fakhr al-ʾUmara) is also referred to as Sulṭān al-ʿArab in some historical sources (see ʿImāduddīn, ʿŪyūn al-Akhbār, vol. 7, pg. 61-65). He was assassinated by Badr al-Jamālī, among other rebels, including Nāṣir al-Dawla, upon entering Egypt for their insurgents and rebels against the state which caused political unrest in the country for almost a decade (1062-1072). While Badr al-Jamālī was restoring law and order in Egypt and assassinating the rebels, many factions of the rebel army and clans surrendered to him to avoid persecution. This letter mentions Badr al-Jamālī receiving such letters from the Lawāta Berbers and other clans, as well as a delegation from Sulaymān (the name demands further inquiry). The letter also mentions (Ibn?) Hamūd, also Ibn Hamdān or Ibn Hamdūn, (the name appears with variations in historical sources) I.e., the name of Nāṣir al-Dawla as giving an account of these events. Badr al-Jamālī entered Egypt in 467/1075, hence this letter could be dated to that year. (ASE,YU)

Fragment of a letter referring to someone designated as 'the elevated presence.' Verso (B-4205-2) appears to contain the letter's conclusion and includes references to an official designated as commander of the troops (Amir al-Juyush), possibly the Armenian general and actual ruler of Egypt 1074-1094 (see Cohen, Jewish Self-Government, pp. 61-65).

Literary, probably piyyut.

Piyyut.

Letter fragment, addressed to Fustat. In Judaeo-Arabic. Thin strip from the middle. Mentions a ḥaver, and perhaps a wedding on a shabbat.

Accounts in Judaeo-Arabic. Dating: Probably late.

Letter fragment in Judaeo-Arabic. Very neat hand. The writer complains about something (having to wander abroad?) because he writes that he counts whatever it is as an atonement for his sins.

List of names and numbers, perhaps a donations list. Dating: Probably 18th or 19th century. Includes surnames such as Mosseri and ʿUraybi.

Letter fragment in Judaeo-Arabic. Mentions an illness (maraḍ) and aṣḥābunā.

Letter or legal query addressed to Ḥananel b. Shemuel, probably identical with the well-known judge of the early 13th century (and son-in-law of Moses Maimonides). None of the substance remains except that the writer asks for guidance regarding a certain matter.

Legal document: Bill of divorce. Dated: Monday 14 Tammuz 1454 Seleucid (1143 CE). Location: Minyat Zifta. Husband: Yakhin ha-Kohen b. ʿUlla ha-Zaqen. Wife: Rūma bt. Ḥasān. Scribed and signed by the judge Shabbetay b. Avraham ha-Ḥaver. Also signed by Yeshuʿa b. Shemuel ha-Melammed. The attestation on verso that she received the get is signed by Yosef b. Shemarya and Seʿadya b. Natan.

Letter fragment in Judaeo-Arabic. Narrating some letter exchange involving the writer's cousin (ibn ʿamm) and paternal uncle (ʿamm).

Recto: Letter from Yiṣḥaq de Curiel. In Ladino. Verso: sums.

Documentary text: Jottings(?) in Arabic script. The main text on the fragment is Hebrew and literary.

Letter fragment in Judaeo-Arabic. Apparently describing a certain man's marital issue, but this is opaque. Needs examination.

Recto: Deed of a sale. Dated 145[.] Seleucid, which is 1138–48 CE, which is consistent with the reshut clause invoking the Nagid Shem[uel b. Ḥananya]. Also mentions the name Yeshuʿa ha-Kohen ha-Zaqen. Verso: Judaeo-Arabic commentary on Daniel 1 and Ashpenaz the Chief Eunuch.

Accounts in Ladino.

Accounts in Ladino.