Geniza Lab

Letter from anonymous writer, unknown location, to Moshe b. Yehuda, in Alexandria. In Hebrew. Dating: Last quarter of the 15th century, based on the associated fragments. Subject: Thanking the addressee. The writer probably previously wrote a letter of recommendation for a certain Yiṣḥaq. The writer reports that he heard from Yiṣḥaq that Moshe treated him munificently. The writer conveys his gratitude and asks for a letter with information about how everything went with Yiṣḥaq and his sister, whether they are healthy, and whether they left any letter for the writer. Information from Avraham David's edition. There is a stylized "emet" at the top of the letter. ASE.

Letter from the Nagid Natan Sholal ha-Kohen, in Fustat/Cairo, to Moshe b. Yehuda, in Alexandria. In Hebrew. Dating: Before 1502 CE and perhaps after 1498 CE (since Shalom b. Zaytūn lived in Safed before then). Issuing instructions concerning provisions for the orphans of R. Avraham b. Ḥisān, who previously lived in Alexandria but moved to Jerusalem to live with their mother upon the death of their father. Other people mentioned: the bearer of the letter Ḥayyim; R. Yaʿaqov Fransi (of Jerusalem) and his brother R. Yiṣḥaq Fransi; R. Ṣedaqa Nes (of Alexandria); and R. Shalom b. Zaytūn. (Information from Avraham David via FGP.)

Verso: Cheque by Abū Zikrī Kohen. The banker Abū l-Khayr Khiyār is to pay the bearer 25 dinars. Dated: Tishrei 1447 Seleucid, which is 1135 CE.

Verso: Cheque written and signed by Abū Zikrī Kohen. Dated: Tishrei 1454 Seleucid, which is 1142 CE. Abū l-Khayr Khiyār is to pay the price of the pepper, namely, 8 dinars.

Letter/announcement addressed to the entire Jewish community of Fustat. In Judaeo-Arabic. Probably from the office of the Nagid. Bears an 'emet' motto at the top. Dating: Probably 13th or 14th century. The purpose of the letter is to announce that Mūsā the beadle of the Iraqi synagogue has been placed under a ban of excommunication. The reason is given in line 7 but is difficult to read. No one is to interact with him or eat the meat that he slaughters. Whoever disobeys will be punished.

An order from Abū Zikrī Kohen. Khalīl is to give the bearer 1 raṭl of linseed oil (zayt ḥār). On the other side, there are business accounts in Judaeo-Arabic. Abū Zikrī Kohen evidently tore up the accounts to get scrap paper for the order.

Order for goods. From Abū Zikrī Kohen. Khalīl is to deliver 3 ounces of soap (ṣābūn).