Geniza Lab

Testimony made by unknown members of the Jewish community (the signatures are either cut off or were never added). Location: Fustat. Dated: First decade of Iyyar 1540 Seleucid, which is 1229 CE, under the authority of Avraham Maimonides (called 'adon' and 'gaʾon' but not 'nagid'). T-S NS J66 (mainly Hebrew) and T-S 8.161 (mainly Judaeo-Arabic) are versions of the same document. The undersigned say that when they lived in Jerusalem, Yeshuʿa b. Shelomo ha-Levi regularly went up to the Torah for the Levi blessings when no other Levi was present. Moreover, they confirmed this from asking the people of his country. This document was drawn up for him to carry with him as support for his claim to be a Levi. Goitein summarizes it as follows: "How even the poorest of the poor would jealously guard his rights in these matters [participation in prayer] may be seen from a document certifying that a certain young "Levi" was called up in Jerusalem to read a part of the Scripture lection, when no other local or foreign "Levi" was present. This rather comical testimony was given to him "so that he might not be put to shame" (Med Soc II, p. 161). (Information in part from Goitein, Palestinian Jewry, p. 336–37.) VMR. ASE.

Sale of 1/2 house to the wife of a brother of Rabbenu Ḥayyim for 250 (dirhams or dinars, probably the former). A lane known by the name of Rabbenu Ḥananel is named. Almost certainly in the hand of Imanuel b. Yeḥiel. Information from Goitein's note card.

Barely legible legal document concerning marriage. It may be a ketubba, but the legal formulae that remain are not unique to ketubbot. (Information from CUDL)

Only a small piece remains, containing the ends of two signatures (followed by 'נ'נ). (Information from CUDL)

Agreement between a husband (Abū Manṣūr Ibn Qasāsā) and wife. In the hand of Halfon b. Menashshe ha-Levi. Ibn Qasāsā divests himself of responsibility for his wife’s possessions, and the wife is granted the right to dispose of her dowry (excluding silverware and jewellery) as she sees fit and to purchase real estate, because of insecure times, and because she is ‘trustworthy’. The other conditions of the marriage contract remain in force. Dating: ca. 1120s CE. Also mentions Abū l-Khayr b. Ḥaffāṭ. The wife (Sitt al-Ḥusn) is also known from another later manuscript (Bodl. MS Heb. e 98, f. 63, dated 1138 CE), in which she is described as the widow of Ibn Qasāsā upon her remarriage. By this time (apparently soon after the death of Ibn Qasāsā) Sitt al-Ḥusn had a minor son and the ownership of a store near her house. (Information from CUDL. See also Goitein's index card and Weiss's edition.)

Fragment of a settlement with a widow. Dated: Nisan 1456 Seleucid, which is 1145 CE, under the authority of Shemuel b. Ḥananya. In the hand of Natan b. Shemuel. The widow acknowledges that she had already received the immediate installments from the marriage gift, as well as copper and other items. The total still due to her was one third, and she has now received it. Her brother releases the heirs in her name from any future claims. Witnesses: Natan b. Shelomo ha-Kohen; Natan b. Shemuel ha-Ḥaver. (Information from Mediterranean Society, III, 387.) Join: Oded Zinger.

End of a ketubba with very little text preserved, signed by the scribe, Hillel b. ʿEli (1066-1108 CE). (Information from CUDL)

Beginning of a legal document written under the jurisdiction of David Maimonides, dated Nisan 1576 (= 1265 CE) in Fusṭāṭ. (Information from CUDL)

Legal deed concerning the sale of a house. The parties are Shelomo ha-Kohen and Yaḥyā. (Information from CUDL)

Fragment of an incomplete legal document in the hand of Ḥalfon b. Menashshe ha-Levi (1100–1138 CE). There are two lines, mentioning the late Abū l-Faraj Hibatallāh Netanʾel. On verso, in a different hand, it says "qiyām: 47. to his mother: 21." (Information in part from CUDL)

Small fragment of a marriage contract (ketubba). Likely in the hand of Yefet b. David. Dating: ca. 1030 CE. The delayed marriage payment is 20 dinars. The dowry amounts to 50 dinars. (Information from Goitein’s index card.)

Fragment of a legal document concerning the ketubba of Karīma and her husband Nadiv. Also mentions a certain Shelomo. In the hand of Nathan b. Shemuʾel (early-mid 12th century). (Information from CUDL)

Part of the beginning of a ketubba, dated 13[..] (10th-11th century CE) in Fusṭāṭ. (Information from CUDL)

Bill of release. Fragment (upper right corner). In the hand of Ḥalfon b. Menashshe ha-Levi (1100–38 CE). Mentions Sitt al-Kull and her mother Sirwa, one of whom acknowledges receipt of something. Also mentions Abū [...] Elʿāzar ha-Kohen. (Information in part from CUDL.)

Bill of divorce. Incomplete. Location: Fustat. Dated: Monday, 9 Ṭevet 1562 Seleucid, which is December 1250 CE. Husband: Avraham b. David ha-Kohen of the city of מדכסר(?).

Strip cut from the dowry list of a ketubba. (Information from CUDL)

Part of a legal document, possibly a deed of sale. No names mentioned, only [...] אלשיך אבו [א]ל. (Information from CUDL)

Small fragment from a court record. Regarding a the settlement of a debt. In the hand of Ḥalfon b. Menashshe ha-Levi (1100–38 CE), under the jurisdiction of Maṣliaḥ Gaon (1127–39 CE). (Information from CUDL.)

Probably part of a ketubba fragment, mentioning sums of money in dinars. (Information from CUDL)

End of a ketubba in a large hand. Signed by Nathan [ha-Levi] b. Yeshuʿa (mid-11th century). (Information from CUDL)