Geniza Lab

Legal document. In Hebrew. Location: Fustat. Dated: 2 Heshvan 5320 AM, which is 1560 CE. Regarding the will of the late Avraham Castro. Stating that the entire inheritance will be divided evenly between Avraham's sons Moshe Castro and Yaʿaqov Castro. However, Moshe will not receive anything for two years, and in the meantime, Yaʿaqov will be free to do business with the money. During this period, Yaʿaqov will also have to pay for the maintenance and the wedding of Moshe, "the same amount he spends on himself" plus an additional 10 Venetian ducats (peraḥim) each year. Scribed and signed by Eliyya b. David חברייה. Signed also by Makhlūf b. Avraham עקאב.

Letter from the court, in Togarma (Istanbul?), to Moshe Abudarham, in Alexandria. In Hebrew. Dating: Second half of the 16th century, based on Avraham David's identification of the addressee. The letter informs Moshe that a woman named Simḥa, the wife of Yosef Lanyado, has testified that he owes her the 43 peraḥim that she had invested with him, "and she is crying 'violence!' against you" (cf. Jeremiah 20:8 and Job 19:7). The court orders Moshe, if what she testifies is true, to pay her back on pain of excommunication. Information from FGP.

Business letter, fragment, from Yaʿaqov Levi to an unknown addressee. In Hebrew. Goods mentioned include: alkali (הקלי) in line 6, and coral in line 8. The writer mentions his trip to Friuli (NE Italy) in line 9. Currencies: peraḥim. Uses the title "Agha." Dating: 16th century? Information from Avraham David via FGP.

Letter from an unknown writer, either in Gaza or near Jerusalem, to Yishmaʿel, in Fustat/Cairo. In Hebrew. Dating: Second half of the 16th century. The writer describes his persecution at the hands of judges and police in Palestine, specifically in the city of Gaza. It began with a debt owed to the writer by a shāwīsh/çavuş, who denied owing anything (r10–12). The matter came before a judge from Jerusalem, who came to Gaza (r10), and, thanks to bribes and false witnesses, ruled against the writer (r12–15). The shāwīsh continued persecuting the writer, trheatening him with imprisonment or extradition to Damascus for the sake of bringing the case before the Basha there (r15–18). The shāwīsh maintained that the writer owed him 427 Venetian gold coins (peraḥim banādiqa) (r32–33). But the community of Gaza came to the rescue of the writer and agreed to stand security for the loan (r28, v14) that he would need to take out in order to pay off various people to avoid being dragged off to Damascus (r19–31). The writer is now in unbearable financial straits (r31, v6) and asks the addressee to help defray his debts to the community of Gaza (v7–38). The writer has also turned to Yaʿaqov de Villareal and Moshe Porekh(?) for help in transferring the money (v22–25). Information from Avraham David's edition on FGP.

Legal document involving exchange of commodities and money between Avraham b. Ṣūr and Shalom de Leon and Yiṣḥaq de Herrera and David Disqawi (?), dated 6 Nisan 5304 AM, which is 1544 CE. (הרשד is written, but the ר has a mark over it meaning that it should not be counted.) The document is in Hebrew, but the note on verso is probably partly in Ladino (קי שון = ke son). (Information in part from A. David's edition via FGP.)

Letter from Yiṣḥaq b. Yeḥiel. Dated: Friday, 23 Ḥeshvan 5310 AM, which is 1549 CE. In Hebrew, with phrases in Yiddish and many words in Judaeo-Italian. The sender rebukes the addressee for various lapses in business correspondence, including for sending partial documents and writing in terms of the currency "perahim" instead of "gerushim." This letter mentions Avraham Kolon (the sender of ENA 2727.45, Moss. IV,93, and HUC 1034). See also T-S Ar.30.232 + T-S NS 83.19, an account register by Yiṣḥaq b. Yeḥiel from later in the year 5310 AM (spring of 1550 CE). And see Avraham David's transcription and extensive notes on FGP.

Letter from Avraham Kolon (קולון) to Yosef Ardiʿa (ארדיעה). In Hebrew. Dating: Thursday, 12 Kislev [5318 AM], which is 1557 CE (see A. David's article for explanation of the date). Mentions a huge shipment of merchandise. "They say" that apart from the 200,000 peraḥim (which typically refers to Venetian ducats) there are 74 cases of coral, 14 cases of קארבה(?), a thousand copper ingots of one kind and 400 of another, 60 cases of hats, 60 cases of silk garments, and 100 packages ("balas") of clothing. Also mentions Francisco Grisolin (פרנסיסקו גריסולין). Address on verso. (Information in part from CUDL)

Legal testimony. In Hebrew. Dating: Ca. 16th century. Yosef Ashraqī attests that he owes his wife 40 gold Venetian ducats. He will repay the total before the end of Iyyar. Scribed and signed by Yosef Ashraqī. Second witness: Sasson Zikrī. Information from Goitein's note card, though he read Florentine rather than Venetian (בנאדקה).

Legal testimony. Location: Fustat/Cairo. Dated: Wednesday, 12 Shevat 5321 AM = 29 January 1561 CE. Yosef ארוייויץ b. Yaʿaqov Toledano acknowledges that he owes his mother, Doña Masʿūda (the same as in ENA NS 49.20?), 40 large gold ducats, and he will repay them within 30 days whenever she asks. (Information in part from CUDL.)

Legal document, draft. In Hebrew. Crossed out. Attesting that Yiṣḥaq Jibālī owes Avraham Khamīs 1000 Venetian ducats (peraḥim zahav banādiqa). There are several signatures including Yiṣḥaq al-Jibālī and Seʿadya al-Jibālī.

Legal document regarding business between a certain Yaʿaqov, Eliezer Kohen, and Moshe Ovadyah. The currency used is Venetian perahim.

Fragment of a late legal document in Hebrew detailing financial transactions. Mentions 181 peraḥim that were detained with the consul; a certain Hayyim; a total sum of 971 peraḥim; and Sunday, the 29th of Kislev of the previous year.