Geniza Lab

Letter from Yisrael b. Natan in Jerusalem to Nahray b. Nissim in Fustat. November 29, 1061. Concerning copying books and family matters. Mentions Zakkai ha-Nasi, Daniel b. Azarya's brother, and his son, who were about to arrive in Fustat. Also mentions a few people that were coming from Byzantium, traveled through Jerusalem, and some of them stayed there. (Information from Gil, Palestine, vol. 3, pp. 160-164, #479). VMR

Letter from Mevorakh b. Yisrael Januni in Palermo to Nahray b. Nissim in Fustat. July 31, 1052. The writer tries to take care of shipments of goods that belong to Nahray, and therefore traveled to Sfax and then to Palermo. He informs Nahray about the tasks that he could not do. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 4, #755) VMR

Letter from ʿIwāḍ b. Ḥananel, in Alexandria, to Nahray b. Nissim, in Fustat. Around 1060. The letter is in the hand of Benāya b. Mūsā and switches to the voice of Benāya starting in line v1. The letter discusses goods and shipments as well as books that ʿIwāḍ is buying for Nahray. ʿIwāḍ has been suffering a serious illness (wajaʿ) ever since Adar Rishon (this passage begins in line r16). People despaired of him; he recovered from the illness; but then he developed a swollen abdomen ("and I am frightened from it"). Now he does not travel unless absolutely necessary. He asks Nahray to obtain for him sugar and good-quality rhubarb. Information in part from Gil and Gotein's note card (#27102). VMR. ASE.

Letter from Nissim b. Ḥalfon, probably in Tinnis, to Nahray b. Nissim in Fustat. Around 1046. The writer is about to travel to Palestine. Mentions Sahln b. Avraham (Abu Amar). The letter deals with shipments of goods and money, including cloth packaging, raisins, house products, and “Lasin” silk. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, #584) VMR

Letter from Nissim b. Ḥalfon in Tyre to Nahray b. Nissim in Fustat, ca. 1055.

Letter from Mevasser b. David in Damsis to Nahray b. Nissim in Fustat, ca. 1053. The main issue discussed in the letter is an argument between Mevasser and Nahray on the one side and a Christian on the other side. The Christian had financial claims which were not deemed acceptable by Mevasser. Mevasser b. David complains about financial difficulties, especially since he left Mahdiyya where his family remained and lost his property during travels. He anticipates a difficult year for his family, due to famine and rising prices. The letter refers to pearl and book trade and gives the recipient the power of attorney for a sale of silk. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 4, pp. 299-300 and Goitein notes linked below.)

Letter from Masliah b. Yehuda of Alexandria to Nahray b. Nissim in which he asks for help retrieving some money that his associates in Fustat still owed him. EMS

Letter from Nahray b. Nissim in Fustat to Abu Ishaq Barhun b. Musa in Busir. Contains multiple references to jahbadh fees, as well as mention of a rūznāma (variant of rūznāmaj).

Letter from Avraham b. Natan in Tyre to Nahray b. Nissim. Dating: ca. 1090–93. During these years, Avraham b. Natan had to flee Tyre due to Munir al-Dawla's revolt. It was during these years that Avraham b. Natan tried to establish his position in Alexandria and al-Mahalla, an attempt reflected in this letter. On Avraham b. Natan's residence in Alexandria see M. Gil, 'Scroll of Evyatar,' p. 89 lines 29-30. See also Goitein, Med. Soc. Vol. 5, p. 596 no. 19. (Information from Frenkel).

Letter from Natan b. Nahray, in Rashid, to Nahray b. Nissim, in Fustat. Around 1061. The writer writes about purchasing wheat before Passover. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, #414) VMR

Letter. Left lower side of a letter perhaps to Nahray b. Nissim. (Information from Goitein's index cards)

Letter from Nahray b. Nissim in Fustat to Abu al-Faraj Daniel b. Allan ha-Kohen in Alexandria, discussing the problem of the ransom of captives and noting that owing to the lack of funds prisoners have to be redeemed one by one, ca. 1045-1096.

Letter from Nahray b. Nissim in Alexandria to Abu Ishaq Avraham b. Hananel, known as Awad, in Fustat, in which the writer asks for information about prices of goods in Fustat, ca. 1045-1096.

Letter from Yisrael B. Natan, Jerusalem, to Nahray B. Nissim, Fustat. Includes details about the agreement between Daniel B. Azarya and the brothers Yosef and Eliya the Cohanim, sons of Shelomo Gaon. December 20, 1051. VMR

Letter from Nahray b. Nissim, Fustat, to Abu al-Faraj Yeshu'a b. Ismail, Upper Egypt. The recipient is buying goods. Nahray writes with the news of Abu Imran's death, to confirm that Abu al-Faraj has the money from previous trades, and to discuss future ones.

Letter from Isma’il b. Farah, Alexandria, to Nahray b. Nissim, Fustat. September 23, 1056. The letter contains details about shipments of money and goods, and several requests to send letters, as well as requests related to buying goods (mainly sugar) and selling goods (mainly silk) in Fustat. Also mentions a large shipment of wax that was sent to the government. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, #490) VMR

Letter from Yosef b. Sahl ha-Bardani in Tripoli, Lebanon, to Nahray b. Nissim in Fustat, ca. 1060.

Letter from Yisrael B. Natan, Jerusalem, to Nahray B. Nissim, Fustat. Israel suggests Nahariya to get out of a deal he made and asks for money to buy clothes. The letter includes the news that the "Rosh" - Daniel B. Azarya is coming to Jerusalem, via Nablus, and about his meeting with Eliya HaCohen, son of Shelomo Gaon. August 24, 1052. VMR

Letter from Avraham b. Yitzhak al-Andalusi, Jerusalem, to Nahray b. Nissim, Fustat, ca. 1065.

Letter from Natan b. Nahray, Alexandria, to his father, Nahray b. Nissim, in Fustat, concerning the arrival of ships, ca. 1045-1096.