T-S 10J32.1
Recto/verso: recto and verso
Letter 1 of 4 of Letters Miscellany, a collection of letters representing both sides of the calendar controversy. Letters 1 and 2 are pro-Babylonian. Both respond to a polemic on the calendar by the Palestinian Head of Academy (or one of his disciples), and both refute systematically each of his polemical argument.
Addressee suspected, with his disciples, to be an ally of Palestinian camp. Author claims not to suspect him, but calls on him nevertheless to denounce this rumour publicly, and to join in the campaign against the Palestinians (fol.3r:18-3v:19). The addressee appears to be a Palestinian resident, as the author of our letter claims that the majority of Israel are on the Babylonian side, whereas ben Meir’s followers are localised and only ‘in a few places that are around you’ (fol.3v:7-8). Author writes from a position of authority, and appears to know recipient personally.
Polemic responding to a text that was written by ben Meir or his disciple. One line (fol.3v:6-7) suggests that our letter may have been written between Passover and the New Year of 922 CE.
T-S 10J32.1 is almost completely preserved in a single piece, and contains uniquely the entire text of the folio, although its bottom margin is torn off and lost; its measurements are thus informative, even if the folio’s full dimensions (its bottom margin, and its total height) remain unknown.
Editor: Ed. and trans. Sacha Stern, "The Jewish Calendar Controversy of 921/2 CE," in The Book of the Calendar Controversy: Diplomatic Editions, 1st ed. (2019).