Geniza Lab

Letter in Hebrew from Azarya Zeevi, Jerusalem, to Yiṣḥaq Castro, Cairo/Fusṭāṭ. Dating: mid-seventeenth century. Should be read together with T-S 20.67—same writer and addressee. The first page is very effaced and difficult to read. ʿAzarya opens with praise for the addressee (r1–4), reports that he received two of his letters (r5–6) and mentioned earlier letters (r9). He mentions the loss of certain "items" (r11). He mentions הר״י אפמדו י״א (r17), who is also mentioned in a negative light in the preceding letter. He discusses the trade in precious stones (r12) and jewelry (r15, 18, 25), apparently with traders from קושנדי, i.e., Istanbul (r19). He then expands on his request for donations for the community of Hevron by way of R. Zerahya [Gota] (v2). Information entirely from Avraham David's edition on FGP.

Letter from Saadya Ha-Ḥaver, Hebron, to Evyatar Gaon, Fustat, beginning of 1082.

Series of (copies of) letters sent from Hebron to Egypt, mainly asking for financial assistance. First half of the 17th century. Information from FGP.

Series of (copies of) letters sent from Hebron to Egypt, mainly asking for financial assistance. First half of the 17th century. Information from FGP.

Letter from Yosef b. Yaʿaqov of Hebron to Shela the cantor, urgently inquiring about the fate of the body of his brother David, who had died on the road. (Information from Mediterranean Society, V, pp. 557-558)

Letter from Saadya b. Avraham in Hebron to Yeshu'a b. Yakhin in Fustat, approximately 1080.

Partnership agreement dated Sivan 1735 CE (5495), to last for eight years, it seems for a business venture dealing in etrogim. The six partners are (1) Yaʿaqov Bonsenyor (whose signature is preserved at the bottom), (2) Yeshuʿa al-Ḥāmī, (3) Avraham [...], (4) David Mizraḥī known as Nawwār (?), and (5) the youth Avraham Rozanes known as Ghazzāwī, and (6) Avraham's father, Shemuel al-Ghazzāwī. (There are a few missing words so it is not certain that Shemuel al-Ghazzāwī is the 6th partner.) An interesting detail mentioned is that Yaʿaqov Bonsenyor is about to set forth for a sheliḥut in Hebron and in Yemen. ASE.

Recto: fundraising letter from the leaders of the Jewish community in Hebron to the leaders of the Jewish community in Egypt (16th-17th century). Verso: jottings and the imprint of a seal in ink, bearing the name ‘Jacob [...]’. (Information from CUDL)

Letter from Yaʿaqov ha-Meshorer b. Yiṣḥaq b. David Maʿaravi, in Hebron, to Yehoshuaʿ, descendant of the Negidim. In Hebrew and Judaeo-Arabic. Dating: Possibly Mamluk era. The letter opens with four short biblical quotations; extensive rhymed blessings follow. Yaʿaqov describes his devastation upon the death of ʿOvadya, descendant of the Negidim. He goes on to describe the poverty of the community of Hebron, and especially his own poverty. He receives 8 dirhams a month from Yeshuʿa al-Ḥakīm b. Menaḥem of Damascus, bu this hardly suffices (he cites the Talmudic idiom "a handful does not sate a lion"). He asks for charity from the addressee. (Information in part from CUDL.)

Letter from an unknown writer, probably in Hebron, to his wife (addressed as al-Sitt al-Jalīla), probably in Fustat. Addressed to al-Shaykh al-Muhadhdhab al-Khayyāṭ (the tailor), possibly the wife's father. In Judaeo-Arabic. The writer reports that he developed a serious illness (ḍuʿf ṣaʿb) in Hebron. He is sustained only by her prayers and his knowledge of her righteousness. He departed on this journey because business had ground to a halt and he needed to gain a living. (Information in part from Goitein’s note cards.) EMS. ASE.

Letter probably sent from Palestine to Egypt. In Judaeo-Arabic and Hebrew. There are four pages. On the first page, the writer reports that "not only them, but the Alexandrians (ahl al-thaghr) who remained in Hebron "all fell sick with this fever" It is difficult to make out the subject of the remainder of the letter. Needs further examination.

Letter fragment in Judaeo-Arabic. Dating: Looks 14th c or later based on the hand, but this is a guess. Written in a high register, with rhymes, biblical quotations, and frequent allusions to light and purity. Most of it seems to consist of praises for the addressee. Possibly a letter of appeal for charity or help. Might mention Hebron (al-Khalīl) a few lines from the bottom. There are a few words in Arabic script at the bottom.

Accounts in Judaeo-Arabic. Includes expenses for the maks (customs duty?), and the capitation tax (jāliya) in Syria for the years 20 and 21. Names mentioned: al-Shaykh al-Rashīd Ṣayrafī b. al-Dayyan; Ibn Karīm al-Iskandarī Ṣabbāgh; Ibn Bayān; Bū l-Ghayth the tax farmer of Hebron (ḍāmin al-Khalīl); and [...] Ibn al-Ghuzūlī.