Geniza Lab

Greek/Coptic numerals (no text).

This recently discovered document presents a detailed account of the calendar controversy from the perspective of a Qaraite. It is also the only source confirming that the controversy continued until the beginning of 924, when Palestinian and Babylonian calendars converged back to the same dates, without however either side emerging victorious over the other.

Legal fragment (lower right corner). Signed: [...] b. Yosef ha-Kohen; Shela b. Mevasser (dated documents 1065–1103). On verso there is a prescription/recipe in Arabic script.

Legal document in Hebrew. Written on parchment. Very damaged. Dating: Likely 11th century. A case of inheritance involving Faraj, Salāma, and Maymūn (somebody's uncle?). AA. ASE.

Commentary on Job 8:18–22. In Judaeo-Arabic. There are undeciphered marginal notes in Arabic script.

Recto: Fragment possibly from the bottom of a petition to a royal woman: al-sulṭāna al-malika al-ṭāhira. Cf. ENA 3974.6, ENA 3974.3, and Bodl. MS heb. b. 18/23 for other documents with royal women. Mentions "the districts" (al-aʿmāl) in the next line. Verso: Grocery list/account in Arabic script and Greek/Coptic numerals: meat, sesame oil, lemon, firewood, pepper, ىىده, and spinach (isfānakh).

Arabic text, likely literary, written at the bottom of a page of Judaeo-Arabic tafsīr. Mentions Abū l-Ṭayyib Aḥmad b. al-Ḥasan.

Letter fragment from Saʿīd b. Marḥab, in Aden, to Abū l-ʿAlā b. Abū Naṣr ha-Kohen, probably in Fustat. In Hebrew (for the introduction) and Judaeo-Arabic (for the body). Dating: mid-12th century. Abū l-ʿAlā’s father is dead, indicated not only by the usual post-mortem blessing after his name (זכ׳׳ל) but also the Hebrew חיי before his name. The address is on verso. Blank spaces on both sides contain Arabic script, seemingly practice for the beginnings of letters. (Information from CUDL.)

Lists of names. Dating: Probably no earlier than 13th century. One side: list of names in Hebrew, including a reference to "westerners" (benei maʿarav). Possibly a genealogical list? The other side: List of names in Arabic script with corresponding sums in Greek/Coptic numerals.

Damaged and faded fragment, probably from a responsum. The text is too fragmentary, but it seems it is dealing with payment of damage. AA

Minute fragment probably from a list of debtors?

Small and stained fragment from a top of a legal deed dated 1443 era of douments = 1132.

Recto: Draft of letter text in Judaeo-Arabic with unidentified Arabic text (magical?) underneath. Verso: Likely an occult text in Hebrew, mentioning various numbers. Written on parchment.

Letter of appeal for charity. From Abū l-Majd to al-Shaykh al-Rashīd. In Judaeo-Arabic. Dating: Perhaps 13th or 14th century. The sender is in difficult straits on account of the capitation tax. He cannot hide in his house any longer, because he needs to earn a living. On verso there are pen trials or writing exercises.

Genealogical list. In Judaeo-Arabic, with some Arabic script. Headed "awlād al-nākhudhā."

Recto: Legal query concerning a partnership in a moneychanging shop. In Judaeo-Arabic.

Verso: Document in Arabic script. Needs examination.

Letter from Tripoli or possibly Tyre to the Nagid Mevorakh b. Saʿadya. Dating: 1094–1111, based on Mevorakh's titles. The handwriting resembles that of ʿAmram b. Aharon ha-Kohen. Gil claims that the sender's son is in Crusader captivity but does not explain why he thinks so (the phrase "the little boy who remains" in l. 10 is clearly insufficient). The sender complains of his poverty and dependents and asks for help settling in Fustat. (Information in part from Gil.)

Letter in Judaeo-Arabic. Probably from Yehuda Ibn al-ʿAmmānī, in Alexandria, to Abū l-Majd Meir b. Yakhin, in Fustat. (Identification based on handwriting, typical layout, and references to family members; cf. T-S 12.299 and T-S 8J22.31.) Dating: Early 13th century. On one side, mentions Abū Saʿīd Khalaf the cantor; Ibn Bū l-Zakkār; Umm Bū l-Ḥusayn; and the mother of the addressee. On the other side, reports that the addressee's brothers Saʿīd and Hil[āl] are in good health. If Yehuda manages to find his copy of Ḥullin, he will send it. As for Abū l-[...] the Shammash, he has a very difficult character. They arranged a public charity collection (pesiqa) as requested. But apparently he only received 3 3/4 dirhams. Yehuda asks Meir to meet with R. Yeḥiel. ASE

On verso beginning of a draft of a poetical Hebrew letter to 'Amram followed by prn trials. AA