Geniza Lab

Letter from Yahya b. ‘Ammar (basis for identification unclear), who had reached Jerusalem with the help of a benefactor in Fustat, petitioning for assistance so that he may remain in Jerusalem (“Har-El”(?)). The letter, written by a scribe, utilizes the biblical phrase from Psalm 61:5, that God may cover his would-be benefactor “with the cover (be-seter) of His wings.” The verso contains a line from Psalm 119:165 and notes that the letter was dictated by Saadya b. Futuh. (Mark Cohen, Voices of the Poor, 23; and S. D. Goitein, Mediterranean Society, 5:35, 514) EMS