Geniza Lab

Letter from Abū l-Faḍl b. Sahl to his relative Ibrāhīm b. Ṣalḥūn, in which he describes a difficult journey that cost three times as much money as he had budgeted for it. "Do not breathe a word about travel. This is a difficult journey that is only good for the wealthy." He then describes his trials with Yūsuf who has been fraternizing with Gentiles and insulting the Jews from East to West. Yūsuf insults Nahray and Ṣedaqa and all the kohanim "up to Aaron." "No one approves of this. By God, speak to the judge." He concludes with greetings and with the postscript, “You know that I am weak in expression; my writing is not worthy of your trouble [or: do not make fun of me]; let no one read this letter except yourself.” He is probably referring to his very poor spelling, though Goitein's note card suggests that it is because he does not want the bad things he said about Yūsuf to get around. (S. D. Goitein, Mediterranean Society, 5:240, 422, 572, 626) EMS. ASE.