Geniza Lab

Letter from Minyat Zifta to Fustat. The writer had been sent to Minyat Zifta to deliver an instruction to the judge Shabbetay b. Avraham (active 1135-78), it seems to summon him to Fustat. Upon arriving in Minyat Zifta, he found an epidemic that had caused a large number of deaths in the Jewish community. The writer emphasizes Shabbetay's willingness to obey but awaits instruction on whether he still needs to come in light of the circumstances. The writer also conveys the complaint of various locals that every other town in the Rif has a synagogue, but they do not. (Information from Mediterranean Society, V, pp. 113, 537). EMS; ASE.

Letter of appeal addressed to a Jewish dignitary (ha-dayyan ha-maskil). The introduction is in Hebrew and the body is in Judaeo-Arabic. The writer prays that the addressee will be spared "the diseases of this year." He states that he is impoverished and suffering from an illness. "If I live, you will see my gratitude for you in public." He asks the addressee to send a messenger to the Nagid on his behalf. The letter contains the interesting oath "wa-ḥaqq al-yiḥud," where yiḥud = tawḥīd. He also writes that al-ḥūrma (his wife?) is as sick as can be. Information in part from Baker/Polliack catalog.