Geniza Lab

Leaf from a dossier containing later (maybe 14th-15th c) copies of rescripts or responsa from Muslim and Jewish authorities concerning a scholar who allegedly had slandered a Jewish judge. The end of no. 8, from a Muslim amir, dated 575H (1179–80 CE), no. 9 (head of the yeshiva in Baghdad) and the beginning of no. 10 (same as preceding). Information from Goitein's note card and from Marina Rustow.

Letter by Sherira Gaon and Hayye Gaon in the hand of a professional scribe. Originally written in ca. 1005. Sent to Fustat to an aluf, probably Avraham b. Sahlān. Mentions Shemarya b. Elḥanan and his son Elḥanan. Mentions “the son of the deceased ruler,” probably al-Ḥākim. Refers to distress and persecutions that the writers suffered, and hints at a controversy in Fustat. Expresses thanks for a delivery of parcels (probably containing halakhic queries and money) that had reached the yeshiva with the assistance of Yaʿaqov b. ʿAwkal. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, p. 96.)

Copy of a letter from Shemuel Gaon b. Hofni to the community in Fez. The beginning of the 11th century, handwriting of Sahlan b. Avraham. Mentions tragic events that took place in Fez, including killing of community members and destroying of the synagogue. The writer sends his deep condolences. The letter was probably sent from Baghdad through Fustat and Sahlan copied parts of it. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, #51) VMR

Letter from Shemuʾel b. Eli gaʾon, in Baghdad, in the hand of Yosef b. Yaʿaqov b. ʿEli Rosh ha-Seder of Irbīl, second half of the 11th century. Deals with just judgment. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, #81, and from Amir Ashur and Marina Rustow)

Letter (opening only) from Shemuel b. Eli gaʾon in the hand of his disciple Yosef b. Yaʿaqov rosh ha-seder. Mentions one of houses of the exilarch, but it is not clear if this is the addressee. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, #82) VMR

Letter (copy) from the exilarch Daniel b. Ḥisday (d. probably 1175) of Baghdad to Netanʾel b. Moshe ha-Levi in Fusṭāṭ recognizing his new position in Egypt. Published by Mann in his HUCA Supplement to his Jews volume and later by Assaf in his Letters of Shemuʾel b. Eli (Tarbiz, 1930).

Letter in the hand of Daniel b. Azarya (Gil) to ʿEli b. ʿAmram. Daniel b. Azarya refers to notebooks of responsa (including some by Samuel b. Ḥofnī) that he would like copied by an expert scribe on good quality paper - not Egyptian paper, he says, but rather Andalusī (Spain) or Iṭrābulusī (Tripoli) paper. (Information from Gil, Palestine) On the back is a literary text.

Fragment of a letter from Isma’il b. Barhun al-Tahirti to Efrayim b. Shemarya, Fustat. After a disagreement that happened because of a business of selling indigo (it is not clear what the disagreement was about). The writer informs Efrayim, the judge and leader of the Jews in Fustat that Rav Hayya Gaon sent his answer and he supports the Tahirtis side. The writer writes his Hebrew name – Shemuel b. Rabbi Avraham. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, #124) VMR

Letter from Shemuel b. ʿEli gaʾaon, Baghdad, with opening praises, copied in the hand of his disciple Yosef b. Yaʿaqov rosh ha-seder. (Information in part from CUDL.)

Letter from Shemuel b. Eli Gaʾon in Baghdad to an unknown person. In the hand of his disciple Yosef b. Yaʿaqov Rosh ha-Seder of Irbīl. The sender mentions that the community members do not fulfill their duties towards the yeshiva. Also discusses the problem of girls forced to marry against their will. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, p. 207. See also Goitein index card.)

Letter from Hayye Gaon, in Baghdad, to Sahlan b. Avraham in Fustat. Dated Kislev 1349 Sel. (Dec 1037–Jan 1038). Regarding the disagreement among Iraqi community members in Fustat. A group of people is opposed to Sahlan and spreads written materials against him. Hayye Gaon promises Sahlan that he will support him and advises him to act with restraint. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, #41)

Letter from Ṣemaḥ b. Yiṣḥaq, gaon of Sura, to Elḥanan b. Shemarya, ca. 990. Contains information about Ṣemaḥ b. Yiṣḥaq and about the academy of Sura. The gaon expresses his wish that Elḥanan b. Shemarya would come to Baghdad, the new location of the academy of Sura. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, p. 133.)

Letter from Ṣemaḥ b. Yiṣḥaq, gaon of Sura, to Elḥanan b. Shemarya, ca. 990. Contains information about Ṣemaḥ b. Yiṣḥaq and about the academy of Sura. The gaon expresses his wish that Elḥanan b. Shemarya would come to Baghdad, the new location of the academy of Sura. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, p. 133.)

Recto: Fragment of a letter from Shemuel Gaon b. Hofni to one of the main members of the community in Fustat. Dated: Av 1319 Seleucid, which is July 1008 CE. In the handwriting of Yisraʾel ha-Kohen b. Shemuel b. Ḥofni (according to Gil). The sender asks the addressee to keep sending him letters. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, #55.) VMR

No. 1: Letter of condolence from a Gaon on the death of the addressee's son. (Bamerkazim, pp. 69-72); No. 2: Letter from Hayya Gaon to Qayrawan. In No. 1, T-S 20.100 begins at end of verso line 22. No. 2 begins with T-S 20.100 and continues on T-S 10G5.8 on line 53. Rotulus, written by the scribe known as Ibn Buqra (early 11th century)

Letter copy from Sherira Gaon to the Maghrib, ca. 970. The writer describes the importance of the Yeshiva (Pumbedita) and asks to renew the communities’ support for the Yeshiva. The letter was written soon after Sherira became the Gaon. (Gil, Kingdom, vol. 2, Doc. #23) VMR

Letter from Sahlān b. Avraham perhaps to Efrayim b. Shemarya. Dating: ca. 1030 CE. Written in a calligraphic hand and beautiful biblical style. Only the right side of the letter is preserved. Sahlān refers to his illness, a physician, and going to the synagogue. Information from Bareket and from Goitein's index cards. ASE.

A booklet containing copies of eight letters by Rav Sherira Gaon and one letter by Rav Hayye Gaon. End of the 10th century. The letter by Rav Hayye Gaon is addressed to the sister of Yosef b. Ḥasan b. Bundār, probably a community leader in Northern Iraq. All letters mainly deal with financial matters; the first seven mention places in Yemen. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, pp. 83-84.)

Letter from Hayya Gaon to Elhanan b. Shemarya, Fustat. February 7, 1018. The Gaon writes after he has been asked to write to Fustat on behalf of one of the community members in Baghdad, Ali b. Bishr, whose brother, Yosef b. Bishr, is in Fustat and needs help. The writer also informs Elhanan that the Sura Gaon Dosa b. Seadya passed away. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, #39) VMR

Letter from a Babylonian gaon. Edited in comparison with manuscript. (Top and bottom missing)