Geniza Lab

Statements by two Yemenite merchants about consignments shipped by Ibn Yiju. The first statement is by Madmun b. Salim and the second is by Avraham b. Fayyumi. The content of these statements should be compared with III, 12. The statements were written in India, probably around 1145.

Statements by two Yemenite merchants about consignments sent by Ibn Yiju from India and mostly lost. [India] Almost certainly 1145. (India Book III, 22)

Two letters (attached to each other), from Farah b. Isma’il b. Farah and from Yosef b. Eli ha-Kohen Fasi, from Alexandria, to Nahray b. Nissim, Fustat. Around 1054. Both letters are in the handwriting of Farah and probably were written separately and were attached later. The first letter contains details about shipments of coins and importing metals as copper, iron, and lead, as well as wax, and Persian fabrics. The other letter contains details about deals with Muslims, different instructions to Nahray, and some information about ships. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, #395) VMR

Letter (large but fragmentary) from Khalaf b. Yiṣḥaq in Aden to Avraham Ibn Yiju, around 1139-1140. The letter is written in the hand of Shemuel b. Moshe b. Eleazar. The letter contains information about their commercial ventures.

Letter from Barhūn b. Yiṣḥaq to Nahray b. Nissim, January 27, 1047

Letter from Barhun b. Ishaq Tahirti (Mahdiyya) to Nahray b. Nissim (Fustat) June, 1047.

Letter from Yosef b. Musa al-Tahirti from Mahdiyya, to Nahray b. Nissim, Fustat. Around 1058. Mentions several goods including silk, copper, and seashells. Mentions family matters. The writer is concerned about family members and especially about girls that became orphans. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, vol. 3, pp. 215-224, #367). VMR

Detailed letter sent from Sicily (Gil) by Yaʿaqov b. Ismail al-Andalusi to Yosha b. Natan in Fustat, dealing with business matters and mentioning a Rabbinical responsa by Masliah b. Eliah. (Information from M. Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, p. 904 and from M. Ben-Sasson, Yehudei Sitzilya, p. 259)

Letter from Khalaf b. Yiṣḥaq in Aden to Avraham Ibn Yiju in Dahbattan on the Malabar coast. Goitein dated the letter to after 1139, while Friedman to after 1138. The letter contains much information on commercial business and the report of a shipwreck in Bab al-Mandab.

Letter from Abū Zikrī b. Ḥananel to Abū l-Afrāḥ ʿArūs b. Yosef al-Arajawānī. In Judaeo-Arabic, with the address partially in Arabic script. Concerning business matters, and mentioning commodities such as sal ammoniac (nushādir) and purple fabric (arjawān). Refers to a ship that is apparently not traveling—not to al-Mahdiyya and not to al-Andalus. A qāḍī is sick, and the traders cannot trade. (Information in part from CUDL and Goitein's index card.)

Business letter mentioning the sender's son.

Letter pertaining to business.

Letter fragment from Yisrael b. Natan, in Jerusalem, to Nahray b. Nissim, Fustat, ca. 1060, the 17th of Tamuz. Mentions Ramla. (Information from Ed. Gil, Palestine, vol. 3, pp. 158-159, #478) VMR

Account written by Avraham Ibn Yiju in Yemen around 1149-52 detailing a compensation in kind to Khalaf b. Yiṣḥaq and Yosef b. Avraham.

Incomplete letter from Abun b. Sadaqah, Jerusalem, to Nahray b. Nissim, Fustat. October 1065 according to Gil. Deals with the sale of quarter dinars. Two dinars went to Nahray's uncle Surur b. Sahlan. Describes a flood: "All the people living above and below it were scared. The reservoir (?) overflowed into the cellars (?), and the residents cried out, and I went to the house and witnessed terrible things...." ASE.

Business letter from Mūsā b. Isḥāq b. Nissim al-ʿĀbid. In Judaeo-Arabic. Dating: 11th century. Mentions merchants such as אבן אלטבני, Mūsā Ibn al-M[ajjānī?], and ʿAmmār b. Mevasser. The commodities mentioned include two bowls (qaṣʿa) and pearls. The sender's brother Abū Isḥāq sends regards. (Information in part from Goitein's index cards)

Letter from Abu Mansur al-Kohen b. Yefet ha-Kohen Abu Qasasa with orders for ‘mahmuda’ (scammony plant) and camphor. (Information from Goitein's index cards) EMS On the verso is a postscript from Abu l-Ḥusayn (Abu l-Ḥasan is written above in the margin) concerning the silk trade. He also sends greeting to the addressee’s brother Abu l-Faraj. (Information from CUDL)

Fragment of a business letter, mentioning Abū al-Muna. (Information from Goitein’s index card). EMS

Lower part of a letter, following a complete letter. The writer, in Damira, sends 18 dirhams because the recipient, a relative in Fustat, had sold to him for less than he usually did. The letter discusses business matters, including a torn silk garment. (Information from Goitein's index cards) EMS Verso: Piyyut, starting על מה יציר תיגע עצמך. (Information from CUDL)

Letter (late, 15th century onwards), in tiny handwriting, dealing with the silk trade. (Information from CUDL)