Geniza Lab

Letter written by someone who trains himself in writing a letter. The beginning of the letter reads: (1) bismi llāh al-raḥmān al-raḥim (2) waṣala kitabuka ayyuhā al-ʾaḫ al-fāḍil ḥafiẓaka (3) llāh bi-rāfatihi

Recto, with the address on verso: Business letter addressed to Ḥalfon b. Netanel ha-Levi. In Arabic script. Dating: Before the beginning of 1136 CE. Concerning business in goods such as sal ammoniac and turpeth, and mentions a public auction (ḥalqa) several times. (Information in part from Aodeh; see also Hebrew description from Goitein and Friedman, India Book IV) Ḥalfon reused verso for a draft of a legal document (see separate record).

Letter from Nahray b. Nissim, Fustat, to Yeshuʿa b. Ismāʿīl al-Makhmūrī, probably in Qayrawān. Dating: around 1045. The letter mentions correspondence with the Maghrib, the anxiety in Fustat about the Nile flood, and items such as iron, wool, textiles, resin and spices. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, #241)

Letter in Judeo-Arabic to Sitt al-Nas bint Moses b. Josiah from a female cousin (both are also in-laws), the daughter of Joseph b. Josiah, asking her to live with her after the death of her husband. On verso is an Arabic love poem (in a different hand). (Information from CUDL and Cecilia Palombo)

Recto and verso: Last leaf of a letter from a woman to Sitt Khuṣrawān. In Judaeo-Arabic. Expressing deep regret that the addresse, whom she revered more than her own mother, was leaving the country. This regret was shared by Abū l-Fakhr b. al-Dimyāṭī. On the reverse side a male person addresses another male leaving the country. The same scribe wrote both sides; the hand is notable for large, beautiful letters and the substitution of shin for sin. The names Menashshe and Zayn are mentioned. (Information from Goitein's index card.)