Geniza Lab

Printed copy of a letter that purports to be from the tribes of Gad and Reuben, in the Holy Land, to the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The latter are urged to repent, especially those who live in Christian lands and have succumbed to mixed marriages. The letter refers to the Jews in the "city of Spain" (note that this is spelled אספיא) and the "city of Italy" (spelled טליא) and among the Philistines. The letter reports that the tribes of Gad and Reuben are living in security and prosperity, successful in all their wars and living in perfect piety. Also, the Jews of India are reported to be more powerful than all their neighbors. Dating: Mann suggests that the reference to the Jews in Spain means that it comes from before the expulsion in 1492. If this surmise is correct, the printed letter does not pertain to the activities of David Reuveni (in contrast to T-S 8J33.2, which probably does) but rather to a more general ferment of interest in the lost tribes of Israel.