Geniza Lab

Letter fragment from Yefet b. ʿAmram b. Moshe ha-Mumḥe known as Ibn al-Jāzfīnī/Ghāzfīnī, in the Rīf, to the elder and cantor Yakhin b. Avraham, presumably in Fustat. In Hebrew and Judaeo-Arabic. Dating: second half of the 11th century. Same sender as T-S 20.28, and the addressee appears in T-S AS 204.163 and T-S 8J4.11. Most of the content is lost. (Information in part from CUDL.)

A commercial letter from Abu al-Hasan b. al-Iraqi to Abu Sai’d b. al-‘Afasi (עפצי). These figures are familiar from India Book II, so this fragment might belong to the book. AA

Letter in Judaeo-Arabic. Small fragment. Mentioning Ḥusayn or Ḥassūn. (Information in part from CUDL)

Two un-conserved letters, with no folio shelf mark allocated yet. One is a tiny note written on vellum, on which is a short note of greeting and a reply in a different hand, 13th century. JA The second fragment is from the bottom verso of a letter, on paper, addressed to the Head of the Jews in Mahala: וצל אלי דמשק אלי ריס אליהוד אלי מחלה כבירה . the address is also in Arabic script. JA, Arabic. AA

Letter from the office of Yehoshua Maimonides to Avraham ha-Sar (for the same addressee, see T-S Misc.28.64 and T-S 8J40.2). He reports that he met with ʿAbd al-Karīm and that they 'parted ways in peace.' The addressee is to take the 'awrāq and ḥujaj' from Ibrāhīm and give them to ʿAbd al-Karīm. The upshot of the meeting is that if ʿAbd al-Karīm insults or beats his wife again, he will be excommunicated. Also, the Nagid learned that the synagogue was without a cantor for Minha and Maariv of Shabbat. The cantors Faraj Allāh and ʿAbd al-Karīm are to report to the addressee and declare a ban of excommunication against themselves (!) if they miss the prayer service without an urgent reason, and even then, the other one should substitute. If either one refuses to accept this condition, he will be fired, and if either one gives trouble, he is to be brought before the Nagid. Join by Oded Zinger. ASE.

Small fragment of a letter in Judaeo-Arabic in rudimentary handwriting.

Part of a letter. Small fragment from the lower right corner. Mentions a letter sent to Alexandria. (Information in part from CUDL)

Minute fragment from the end of a letter sent from a man to his brother, containing part of the address: אכיו אלעזיז עלי מנשה נע. AA

Minute fragment from the end of a letter, mentioning Mansur al-Sayrafi. Also remnants from the address in Arabic script. AA

Letter or copy of a letter. (Information from CUDL)

Fragment of a letter. In Hebrew. Late. Only the address is preserved: to [...] Ashqar. (Information in part from CUDL.)

Un-conserved and damaged, probably remains of a letter. AA

The fragments are missing. Contains letter per Mosseri catalogue

Recto: Letter in Judaeo-Arabic. Dating: 1218 CE or slightly before, based on the date listed in the accounts on verso. The writer is in desperate straits and asks the addressee to bring the case of Menaḥem (=himself?) to 'the Rayyis,' who may be Avraham Maimonides, and obtain from him 'what will release me (mā yubrīnī).' The writer wishes to move his children to Alexandria. He complains about R. Anatoli ('It is not concealed from you all the 'informing' (מסרות = מלשינות) that took place among us, nor the anger (khulq) of R. Anatoli and his impatience (? צגֿרה)." The writer mentions Manṣūr al-Miṣrī in the context of business matters; sends regards to Abū Zikrī; and the title of a lady (al-sitt al-rayyisa) appears on verso, apparently not as part of the letter. Information in part from CUDL and M. A. Friedman, "Maimonides Appoints R. Anatoly Muqaddam of Alexandria," [Hebrew], vol. 83 (2015), p. 155, n. 80. Join by Friedman.

Letter from Efrayim b. Ismail al-Jawhari, probably from Alexandria, to Yosef b. Ya’aqov b. Awkal, Fustat. Summer 1030. The writer arranges shipments from and to Alexandria, especially deals with loading the ships. He informs that he receives a letter from the Maghreb that contains details about the merchandise’ prices in the Maghreb. Also mentions that the situation in Qayrawan is better and safer. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, #183) VMR

Letter from Natan b. Avraham to ʿAmram b. Yefet, Fustat. Dating: July 1039. Reporting that the letter of Mevorakh arrived, and the community is thankful for their kindnesses (financial contributions?) and will pray for them on every Shabbat and holiday.

Part of a (business?) letter. Verso: traces of Arabic script, written inverted, probably part of the address. (Information from CUDL)

Late family/business letter in Judaeo-Arabic in rudimentary handwriting addressed to 'my father.' Mentions Sulaymān Abū Asʿad in the opening line.

Letter from Avraham b. Farrāḥ (Gil, on the basis of handwriting) from Alexandria to an unknown recipient, ca. 1055. Mentions various wares – raisins, clothes, pearls. The recipient is asked to help a certain Abū al-Ḥasan ʿAmmār b. Khallūf to purchase wares in Fustat. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, p. 829.)

Letter possibly addressed to the Nagid. In Judaeo-Arabic, written in a crude hand. Fragment (upper left corner). Mentions the arrival of Abū l-Surūr with the news that (probably the Nagid) had obtained or issued a favorable rescript (tawqīʿ) for a petition. Also mentions the capitation tax and Ibn Barukh. (Information in part from CUDL)