Geniza Lab

Family letter, likely from a father to a son. (Based on v13–16: "If only I had never been created so that people would not look at you and say 'this is the offspring of that wicked man, because if he were righteous, his children would be likewise.'") In Judaeo-Arabic. Dating: Likely early 13th century, based on paleography. There seems to be a dispute over an inheritance of a house owned by the addressee's mother. The addressee has been blaming his mother, and the sender rebukes him for that. But then, "It is not your fault or his(?) fault, but rather everyone's fault. It was I who caused her the absence of your brother's wife that brought her and me all these misfortunes, from her and from him. If only there were peace between them, then it would be easier to bear her degradation. I was the one who made her secretly travel with you to where she could build you a house in our lifetime. But all this did not suffice for you, and you claim that she has mired you and cast you down. Where are you and your brother with regard to God [=where is your piety]?" Needs further examination to fully understand the situation. ASE

Letter by a man to his friend inquiring about the cessation of correspondence and emphasizing that 'brothers' may sometimes be angry with each other, but that the one who feels hurt must speak out, lest the other suspect him of some different motive. (Information from Mediterranean Society, V, p. 205)