Geniza Lab

Letter from the teacher Abū l-Khayr, in Minyat Zifta to his brother Abū Naṣr Maḥfūẓ, the brother-in-law of Abū l-Bishr(?) Ibn al-Abzārī(?), in Darb al-Dahhān, Ḥārat Zuwayla, Cairo. In Judaeo-Arabic, with the address in Arabic script. The sender has partnered with Abū l-Munā b. Ḥiyya in teaching, but they are earning only 6 dirhams each every week. They wish to know if there are better prospects in Cairo. The addressee is urged to come quickly and to bring wheat with him. If he cannot find passage from his location, he should walk to Banhā and catch a boat to Minyat Zifta for 1/2 dirham. The sender asks about the prices of fleawort, purslane seed, and caraway. (Information in part from Goitein's index cards and CUDL)