Geniza Lab

Late Judaeo-Arabic dowry list, probably, since it is headed "be-siman tov ve-ʿosher ve-banim be-mazal ẓomeaḥ ve-ʿoleh." There follows a list of numerous items, mostly garments, along with their numbers.

Astrological composition in Judaeo-Arabic, in both black ink and red ink.

Fragment of a story in Judaeo-Arabic. Very late; on grid paper.

Very faded fragment in Hebrew, probably literary.

Fragment of a betrothal agreement between Bayan and Sitt al-Nasab. Among the provisions included is the groom's assurance that he will not prevent the bride from traveling from Fustat nor will he force her to travel against her will. (A similar set of arrangements, also pertaining to a woman named Sitt al-Nasab, is reflected in T-S 16.35.). Verso is blank. No date.

Hebrew literary work, late.

Very interesting late letter in (middling) Hebrew from a certain ʿOvadya (or [... b.] ʿOvadya) currently in Hamadan (!) and planning to travel to Yazd. Only the bottom part (perhaps 2/3) of the letter is preserved. The writer is explaining why he did not go to Sina (?), stating that the congregation refused to let him go and told him he would lose his wages. Furthermore, there was no business there, and he had understood that the power of attorney (sheṭar harsha'a) the addressee had written was in effect in any place where revenue for congregations in Palestine could be raised, but there was no business there. "By the help of God and the merit of Rashbi (!) and by the goodness of the land of Israel, when I return, God willing, I will go there. With your permission, I will go to my city and gather [my belongings?] and leave quickly. Send me letters by way of M. Menashshe b. A(gha?) Yaʿaqov, and he will send them to me, and tell me where you are (?) so that I can send you letters there. If you go to Baṣra, send a letter with M. Shukri to Shiraz, and he will send it to me in Yazd. By my life, do not withhold the 'small powers of attorney' (?): enclose them with the letter and send them. Furthermore, for you to understand the account: I have acquired 600 Qurans (!?). I bought 20, which are for me (?). The remaining 580 Qurans will be taken by מ׳ א׳ Elazar until (or when?) ʿAbbās arrives. Forgive me, for time is pressing . . . if I have erred in the writing, [it is because] I wrote in a hurry. I cannot elaborate. Peace." Above the name ʿOvadya appears the word "qadisha." ASE.

Late account in Hebrew.

Probably literary: two lines in Hebrew/Aramaic mentioning four reshuyot and two reshuyot.

First fragment: Prayer or poetry, Hebrew. Second fragment: Small piece of a letter in Judaeo-Arabic.

Late records in Hebrew, perhaps of a court: one entry is a copy of a legal testimony. But the rest seems to be more like accounts, so perhaps it is a private copy of a legal testimony. Needs further examination.

Late Judaeo-Arabic record of funds raised, perhaps from the Sephardic congregation. Names include Yosef Fārūkhī (?) and Yaʿaqov Portos and Kuḥla [...].

Biblical.

Small fragment of a letter in Judaeo-Arabic.

Small fragment from the beginning of a ketubba from Fustat. No identifying information remains.

Bizarre fragment containing what seem to be nonsense rhymes in Hebrew and Judaeo-Arabic ("they will excommunicate Aziz | he will eat the coins (al-fulūs) | and Saʿīd the poor man | is imprisoned (maḥbūs)"). The same writer has written a very similar text in purple ink on verso.

An Abu Zikri Kohen cheque.

Recto: letter fragment in Arabic script. Verso: letter fragment in Judaeo-Arabic. Mentions the 'rayyis' and kissing his hand (יבוסו אידה).

Fragment of a letter in Judaeo-Arabic.

Hebrew literary work.