Geniza Lab

Recto: Letter fragment in Arabic, mentioning Cairo, witnesses, a document (wathīqa). In between the lines of recto, and on verso: Probably a Hebrew letter, in the hand of Efrayim b. Shemarya, discussing a document that may or may not have been in the handwriting of a Gaon, and his quarrel with someone who was wrongly trying to take money from the fund for the orphans. Needs further examination. ASE.

Fragment of an answer by the Sura Gaon, likely a general question from the Babylonian Talmud rather than an answer to a specific question from a community member. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, #44) VMR

On recto (with few lines continued on verso) Halakhic discussion or responsa regarding the law of oaths, probably written by Abraham b. Nathan (beginning of 12th century Cairo). On verso, in a different hand, Judaeo-Arabic commentary to Genesis 1. AA

Copy of a Gaon’s responsum (might be Rav Hayya Gaon) that includes details about the house of Bustenai and an answer regarding the status of the family’s children. There are two other versions for this answer (one of them is T-S 8 G1). This version is probably the closest to the original. (Information from Gil, Kingdom. Vol. 2, p. 1-3, #1). VMR

Fragment of a learned opinion on different subjects. The last section, preserved here and transcribed by Goitein, is against the 'direct method' in teaching children reading, Fustat, early twelfth century.

Responsum, including financial matters relating to inheritance and to purchasing property. (Information from CUDL)

Query about a debtor who had taken an oath before the Jewish court and then had recourse to a Muslim court. (Information from Mediterranean Society, II, p. 402, and from Goitein's index cards) Written by Berakhot b. Shmuel and probably addressed to Abraham Maimuni. AA

Recto: Unidentified text in Arabic script. Perhaps a business letter? "... al-Andalusī wa-akhūhā (l. 4)"; pepper may be mentioned several times. Vecto: Halakhic text, possibly part of a responsum, written by Efrayim b. Shemarya, dealing with excommunication (11th century). Information from CUDL.

Two questions addressed to Avraham Maimonides about milking sheep on Shabbat. (Information from Goitein's index card). VMR

Letter and a responsum, on either side of the same sheet of paper, detailing the story of a man in distress, particularly because of debt. The letter likely concerns an earlier stage of the case, discussed in yet another responsum. The handwriting looks like Berakhot b. Shemuel. (Mark Cohen, The Voice of the Poor in the Middle Ages, Princeton University Press, 2005, 80-2) EMS

Responsum by the court of the Babylonian Gaʾon Shemuel b. ʿEli. Dated: Ḥeshvan 1478 Seleucid, which is 1166 CE. Concerns inheritance issues between Yosef and Maʿālī and their wives on one side and an orphan on the other. Strongly worded. Copied in the hand of Yosef b. Yaʿaqov rosh ha-seder of Irbīl. (Information from CUDL, Goitein's index card and Amir Ashur.) VMR

Collection of Geonic responsa, in the same hand as T-S 16.99, T-S G2.29, T-S 12.169, and T-S 16.310. (Information from CUDL)

Geʾonic responsa, including discussion of the laws of inheritance. (Information from CUDL)

Geʾonic responsa. (Information from CUDL)

Geʾonic responsa. (Information from CUDL)

Responsum quoting Ishaq al-Fasi (1013-1103), among other Spanish and Andalusian religious authorities. (Information from Goitein's index cards)

Letter addressed to a jurisconsult, containing six questions with the answers on the reverse side. One of the questions deals with a father who died after having fulfilled his paternal obligations toward his daughter and firstborn, but before he was able to provide similarly for his 3 younger children. Another question is whether a man, vowing a gift 'to the poor in general' has fulfilled his pledge by distributing gifts to a number of indigent individuals. (Information from Mediterranean Society, III, pp. 244, 479)

Recto: Geonic (?) responsum regarding two orphans who claim property their father had entrusted to another. Verso is barely legible, but seems to be a responsum in Judaeo-Arabic. (Information from CUDL)

Copy of an engagement deed dated 1202 in Alexandria, sent to Maimonides with a query over whether the contract was legally binding, and the reply in Maimonides’ handwriting. The query itself did not survive, but Maimonides’ reply makes its subject matter clear. The halakhic validity of this type of contract was in doubt, and Maimonides ruled that engagement deeds were in fact permissible according to halakha. (Information from CUDL)

Responsa of R Hananel concerning the using of the Assyrian script for secular purposes. Maimonides responsa om this matter is mentioned. AA