Geniza Lab

An interesting Qaraite legal testimony (zikhron ʿedut) dated 20 Adar 5442 (1682 CE), scribed and signed by Avraham ha-Rofe ben Ṣaʿīr, one of the messengers sent from Jerusalem with news of the barley crop (aviv), together with Mordechai b. Ḥayyim ha-Kohen. As the barley was fully mature, the coming year, a leap year for the Rabbanites, will not be intercalated for the Qaraites. Messengers have been sent both to Damascus and to Fustat. The writer notes that, for the first time "in a long time," this means that the calendars of the Rabbanites and the ʿarelim (western Christians? Muslims?) have coincided, while the calendars of the Qaraites and the Franks and Maronites have coincided. The term ʿarelim, or uncircumcised, normally refers to Christians in earlier Geniza documents. However, in this context, the ʿarelim are being contrasted with the Franks and Maronites, so the writer is either drawing a distinction between western and eastern Christians, or between Christians and Muslims. ASE

Letters. Copies. The first letter is in Judaeo-Arabic, from the Shāmiyyīn to the Miṣriyyīn. The second letter is in Hebrew, from the Miṣriyyīn to the Shāmiyyīn. Dating: Probably no earlier than 15th century. The second letter gives a detailed explanation of the intercalation of the calendar and the observation of the aviv (barley crop), meaning that the writers are probably Qaraite. The first letter indeed mentions דת בני מקרא (line 17). Needs further examination.

Legal testimony, or perhaps a letter. Written in Judaeo-Arabic on a bifolium. The document contains a blow-by-blow account of what various messengers said about the ripening of the barley crop and what ensued. Needs further examination.

Letter from a Qaraite in Palestine. In Judaeo-Arabic. Dated: 5415 AM (19th year of the 285th maḥzor), which is 1654/55 CE. But catalogued as 1555 CE. The writer describes being sent to examine the aviv (barley) crop and what ensued. He discusses other agricultural matters, mentions "the port" and Ashqelon, and describes the rainfall this year. Needs examination. On verso are jottings from Psalms.

Literary. Beginning of a Qaraite treatise on the aviv (observation of the barley crop) and intercalation. By Yehuda Meir Rofe. Explains the difference between the Rabbanites whose year begins in Tishrei and the Qaraites whose year begins in Nisan. Gives an origin story for the Seleucid calendar, involving Alexander the Great and Shimʿon ha-Ẓadiq.