Geniza Lab

Pen trials in Latin- and Hebrew-script. The Latin-script words and abbreviations resemble Castilian Spanish but at times demonstrate Italianate linguistic influence. These words are honorific and often appear in addressing letters and on both the recto and verso the name "Antonio" is repeated. On the verso, the surname "Romano" also appears. There is one cluster of Hebrew letters interjected on the verso and below that the square letter aleph is practiced. MCD.

Bifolium from a Judaeo-Persian commentary, including sections on Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, and Lamentations.

Prayerbook in Spanish or Judaeo-Spanish. In Latin script. Containing the yaʿale ve-yavo prayer for Rosh Hodesh as well as a portion of the liturgy for Shabbat afternoon. Likely 16th century, predating the Ferrara siddur. Edited by Eleazar Gutwirth, "Fragmentos de Siddurim españoles en la Guenizá," Sefarad 1980

Ledger with many distinct entries in Italian, perhaps copies of letters. Needs examination.

Letter from Mose de Toledo and perhaps one other person, in Gaza. In Spanish. Dating: Probably 15th–16th century, on paleographic grounds (assessment kindly provided by Jesús de Prado Plumed and Michael Waas). Thus the sender cannot be identical with the author of "La Trompeta de Mose de Toledo El Sordo de Hierusalaim," which was published in Venice in 1643. The letter mentions debt and an intention to acquire some fruit (...pueda ganar una poca de fruta de...). Merits further examination.

Literary text in Spanish. Needs examination.

Letter in a Romance language, perhaps Spanish, signed in Hebrew: Yehuda Maḥriẓ (? יהודה מחריץ). An alternate reading for the surname is "Madin / מאדין".

Letter in Spanish with columns of numerical calculations at bottom that appears to be dated 5 Tamuz 5437 or July 5 1677CE (the "4" is faint and must be read at 140-200% zoom with high contrast on FGP). The fragment's verso folio is in fact the first page of the letter and that's where the dated heading appears which also indicates the letter's place of recording as Damietta/Dimyat. Just before the calculations begin, "ermano Aron de Abram" is mentioned in what may indicate familial ties to the fragment's author (l. 14r). In lines 8-9r, "en comienda" as separate words is mentioned for example in the phrase: "dara la inclusa con mil en comiendas. Below the accounts one "rais Fattiah" is mentioned, likely with the tile "rais" to indicate his status as a ship captain. MCD.

Accounts in Latin script.

The script is Hebrew, but the language is neither Hebrew (except in parts) nor Arabic. Possibly Ladino as per FGP's catalog, but an expert would need to examine it—only a handful of words actually appear to be consistent with Ladino. Possibly Greek?

Late accounts in Judaeo-Arabic.

Drafts of a note to a certain Abū l-ʿIzz.

Alms list (probably), fragmentary. Names include Sutayt, Abū l-ʿAlā, the wife of the ger, Mūsā, Abū Naṣr, Umm Khulayf, the acquaintance of the astrologer (munajjim) and his acquaintance. Ibrahīm Parnas, Abū ʿUmar and Yaḥyā.

List dated 1593 CE (referring to Elul 5353 and the beginning of 5354), headed "the remainder of the houses of the qodesh of the Musta'rib congregation. It then gives street names and lists of people, perhaps the tenants of the qodesh. Some of them have notes about rent payments as well--how much has been paid, how much remains to be paid. The list may be useful for cross-referencing people and locations from other 16th-century documents.

Genealogical lists (medieval).

Letter from Yehuda b. Avraham b. al-Faraj, possibly in Ṣahrajt, to ʿEli b. ʿAmram (aka Abū l-Ḥasan ʿAllūn b. Muʿammar), in Fustat. Dating: ca. 1060s CE. The letter is in Arabic, with additional text in Hebrew on verso in Yehuda's hand. See also ENA 2465.8–9 and T-S 13J13.2, two other letters with the same sender and addressee, also written in a mix of Arabic and Hebrew script. ASE

Letter in Hebrew (probably), but very difficult to read. Needs examination.

Effaced letter in Judaeo-Arabic from Shelomo al-Maghrebi to a family member. He may be trying to decide if he will come to Fustat or not and seeking the recipient's help in something.

Recto: Legal query in Arabic script. Addressed to "al-sāda al-fuqahāʾ. . . al-aʾimma" regarding whether a beardless Jewish oculist (kaḥḥāl) is permitted to enter the houses of Muslims. (Information from Khan)

Halakhic text (the subject is not clear) as well as Judaeo-Arabic practical instructions for dealing with copper and iron (possibly alchemy or metallurgy). 12th-13th century. (Information from CUDL)