Geniza Lab

Beginning of a letter in which the sender conveys knowledge about his own situation and writes that he needs something.

Beginning of a letter to an unidentified scholar. On the verso there is some writing in large Arabic script, but unrelated to text on verso.

Awaiting description - see Goitein's index card.

Beginning of a letter addressing the Nagid Avraham Maimonides (1205-1237).

Letter concerning a reconciliation, presumably between husband (Maḥfūẓ al-Qudsī) and wife. Signed by the judge Avraham b. Natan Av Bet Din (in New Cairo, dated documents 1098–1114). On verso and continuing on recto there are biblical quotations. (Information in part from Oded Zinger's forthcoming edition.)

Fragmentary letter mentioning several names and a parnas.

Letter to a brother conveying good wishes and telling him that someone had to go to the synagogue every Saturday and on feast days. (Information in Mediterranean Society, II, p. 36)

Letter draft in Hebrew, opening with the report of the writer that he had expedited the collection of the monies pledged for the poor on the Sunday following Purim.

Letter from Avraham b. Hillel, beginning with a biblical quotation (Shemuel I, 25:6), containing congratulations on the occasion of the opening of a perfume shop and mentioning that the sender has received a letter from Moshe ha-Kohen who is in good health. (Information from Goitein's index cards)

Letter in Hebrew to two men, one of whom is called Abu al-Ḥasan.

Beginning of a letter in Hebrew to two people, one of whom is Shabbetay the cantor.

Letter to Yefet b. Sason (aka Ḥasan b. Surūr) who is described as 'the Modest' (הצנוע). Mainly in Judaeo-Arabic, with the introductory blessings in Hebrew and the address in Arabic script. The sender has a son named Eliʿezer. Mentions the addressee's meeting with a Nasi ("the scion of the tribe of Davidites"). Ends with greetings to several persons.

Awaiting description - see Goitein's index card.

Personal letter from Yehuda b. Ya'qub (Yehuda b. Yaʿaqov) to Abu 'Imran in very poor spelling.

Fragmentary letter. Dated to the late 11th century. (Information from Goitein's index cards)

Letter from Natan ha-Kohen b. Mevorakh of Ascalon to 'Allun al-Parnas b. Ya'ish with a request to intercede on behalf of two men with the 'Head of the Diaspora,' David b. Daniel (ca. 1082-1094), and to convey their acknowledgements and thanks for his favors. This letter is written in the top margin of an earlier letter in Arabic script, all of which is now lost except for the basmala and part of the address in the top right corner. The address refers to 'al-Parnas al-Jalil'. Dated to the late 11th century. (Information from M.R. Cohen, Jewish Self-Government, pp. 207, 321) Top margin, diagonal lines.

Copy of a letter of appeal for charity. In Hebrew. In exquisite script and high style. Addressed to Pinḥas b. Peʾer ha-Qehillot. (Information from Goitein's index card.)

Long letter from someone who has traveled to Minyat Zifta, with instructions to his wife concerning her attire and other issues. (Information from Goitein's index cards)

Letter from Nissim b. Ḥalfon, from Tinnis, to Nahray b. Nissim, Fustat. Around 1055. Regarding shipment of cloths that the writer sent to Nahray, including two expensive cloths to Muslim, Abu Imran Musa b. Hakam. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, #593) VMR

Hebrew court testimony by Yehoshuaʿ b. Mansur saying that his wife has no debts to him.