Geniza Lab

Letter from Shelomo b. Ḥayyim, in Alexandria, to Abū l-Faḍl Maṣliaḥ b. Yosef, in Fustat. Dating: Ca. first half of the 12th century. The writer had been informed that the boat from Cairo to Alexandria, on which the addressee was aboard, had been turned back by the qāḍī. The addressee is expected to return to Alexandria soon. (Information from Mediterranean Society, II, p. 611 and Goitein's attached notes.) After making some purchases in Fustat, the writer realized that he lost some gold, whether in Fustat or while in transit. In the margin, he excuses himself from returning to Fustat and seeing the address in person because he was ill. He hopes that the addressee will be able to see his state when they are reunited (perhaps he has some medical expertise?). In the meantime, the son of the Rayyis, Ibn Naḥūm, has seen him and will give a report on the writer's state to the addressee. ASE.