Geniza Lab

Recto/verso: verso

Petition from an Alexandrian coppersmith. Dating: Fatimid-era. Goitein's reading is that the petitioner had bought some merchandise from the dīwān, but had to return it, and now asks to be given those goods back and promises to pay an additional three dīnārs. (Information from Goitein's index card.) Alternatively, he may be describing how he wished to act piously (tazakkā) for the sake of the army (ilā al-ʿaskar) and bought some items from the dīwān, labored on restoring them, then returned them, but he was only recompensed their original value and has not yet received any recompense for his labor (takalluf, taʿab)—hence the petition. ASE Reused on recto for Hebrew piyyuṭ in a distinctive scribal hand. In a different hand underneath, there is a draft of a panegyric for a physician named Eliʿezer (called "sar"/"prince").