Geniza Lab

Letter from a retired old Alexandrian merchant named Abū Saʿīd to a friend in Fustat. One side is a letter in Arabic script and the other side is a letter in Judaeo-Arabic. The same scribe wrote both letters, as the Judaeo-Arabic includes a salām in Arabic script that is identical to the salāms on the other side. Both letters deal with a request to intervene with the Nagid and ask him to draw up a certificate (waraqa, nuskha) of indigence so that the sender can get support from the Jewish community of his hometown. Abū Saʿīd retired from his store about 2.5 years ago, still owing money. He was declared a pauper, and that matter was resolved. But he is still being sought for the capitation tax for his grandson. Someone (Abū Saʿīd? the son? the grandson?) has been absent from Alexandria for 12 years. It is not sufficient for the Nagid to certify that Abū Saʿīd is poor; the Nagid is also supposed to write a few lines explaining the circumstances. Perhaps in this way he will obtain relief ("since I might be regarded as an absentee (ghā'ib)"). Notably there is no hint of shamefacedness. (Information in part from Goitein's attached notes; see those notes for further information, references, and a draft translation.) ASE

Letter from Ibn al-Nasr (the son of the eagle?) to Abū l-Maḥāsin al-Tājir, in Alexandria. In Judaeo-Arabic. The writer includes a request for medicinal substances. He also urges the addressee to return quickly to his mother, because she has been afflicted lately with 'what cannot be described,' and she would have perished were it not for the solicitude of friends. (Information in part from CUDL.) ASE.

Letter in which the sender addresses a cantor, who has been sick, and whom the writer has not recently seen, and from whom he now requests some liturgical hymns (yotzrot) for Passover. "Letter in the handwriting of Hillel b. ʿEli to an unnamed cantor, expressing regret for a missed meeting and asking him to send the Yoṣrot for Passover so that he may copy them." (Information from CUDL)

Letter fragment. Upper left corner only. Addressed to important people (al-shuyūkh al-afāḍil). In Hebrew (for the introductory blessings) and Judaeo-Arabic (for the body).

Address of a letter to Eliyyahu the Judge. None of the body of the letter remains on this fragment.

Letter fragment from a man to his wife. In Judaeo-Arabic. Partial translation by Joel Kraemer: "I have sworn an oath not to wash the clothes I wear until I return to you, nor cut my hair, drink wine or enter a bath until I come home. People know how I am constantly weeping, crying out and sobbing. By the Torah of Moses, peace upon him, I have not forgotten you, nor have I ever replaced you with someone else, or forgotten your piety and love; may God not let me die out of desire for you. I entreat you not to forget me in your prayers ... I wish to treat you with kindness, may God fulfill my hopes in this regard. I ask that I should be able to bedeck you with jewels beyond every woman in Sicily." See also Med Soc, III, p.193, note 157.

Recto: Letter fragment in Arabic script. The first four lines are preserved. Needs examination. Verso: Informal note. In Judaeo-Arabic, in a rudimentary hand. Asking the addressee (al-Maghribī Isḥāq?) to convey something to a certain scribe or secretary (kātib), perhaps asking him to write a letter for Ibn Sayf(?). Also mentions a court and a deposit (?wadāʿa; the word is normally wadīʿa) and bringing Bū Saʿd with him. Needs examination.

Note from Yosef Tamish (? טמיש) to Namir. In Hebrew. The sender is in prison (שורתיים אלו להודיע לכה איך אני בבית הסוהר) and he has nobody to help him. He asks the addressee to join with Yiṣḥaq al-Ashqar and raise some money on his behalf. Dating: mid-16th century.) Information in part from CUDL)

Letter from ʿIwāḍ b. Ḥananel, in Alexanria, to Nahray b. Nissim, in Fustat. In Judaeo-Arabic. Dating: Second half of the 10th century. The writer reports on a terrible Nile journey "as if it were the sea of Sfax"; the water entered the boat because of the many "ניו"; this may be a plural form of نَوء, which means storm or gale. ʿIwāḍ stayed up all night, sitting in the water and guarding the merchandise, crying out for help and receiving none. Eventually someone agreed to help, but demanded a hefty price. ʿIwād ultimately reached Alexandria safe and sound. He reports on the state of the merchandise and how he is faring trying to sell it. Information in part from Goitein's transcription.

Informal note. In Judaeo-Arabic. Requesting that the addressee return the collaterals after the settlement of a debt. "To the elder, the Understanding (ha-Mevin), may his Rock keep him. Kindly receive from the bearer 20 dirhems and hand over to him that which is deposited with your excellency, namely, the turban, the bucket, and the oil jug. This is in accordance with the settlement reached in the presence of our Lord (sayyidnā), may he live forever. Do not let this be delayed—(do this) as one bestowing favor, not as one ordered (munʿimān lā ma'mūran). And peace." This is Goitein's translation, slightly modified (he did not translate the last two words). Goitein suggested identifying 'sayyidnā' with Avraham Maimonides and the addressee ('ha-Mevin') as his cantor and treasurer (see Med Soc II, 420, bottom). Information from Goitein's attached notes.

Letter fragment in Judaeo-Arabic. The addressee is called 'brother.' The writer seems to be trying to justify something he said or wrote. Needs examination.

Letter fragment from Seʿadya Abū Saʿd to Shelomo (Sulaymān) אבוסטרה(?). In Judaeo-Arabic. Dating: Late, probably no earlier than 15th century. Most of the content of the letter is torn off and missing, but at least one other name (Aharon רשורה?) is preserved. The writer's name is given both in the letter itself and in the seal imprint at the top.

Letter in the hand of Yefet b. Menashshe to his brother Ḥalfon b. Menashshe. In Judaeo-Arabic, with the address in both Judaeo-Arabic and Arabic script. Fragment (upper left corner of recto). He confirms receipt of the previous letter which mentioned that Ḥakam had a dabīqī item and its cushions (mikhāddhā) and that he wished to have them cut (? qaṣārathum) — cf. Moss. II,123.1.2. Ḥakam said that he would send something to Dimyāṭ (Damietta). Regards to Abū Manṣūr Ibn Qasāsa. There is a needle piercing at the center of the top of the page. (Information in part from CUDL.)

Letter fragment in Judaeo-Arabic and Hebrew. Very damaged. Needs examination.

Recto, with the address on verso: Business letter addressed to Ḥalfon b. Netanel ha-Levi. In Arabic script. Dating: Before the beginning of 1136 CE. Concerning business in goods such as sal ammoniac and turpeth, and mentions a public auction (ḥalqa) several times. (Information in part from Aodeh; see also Hebrew description from Goitein and Friedman, India Book IV) Ḥalfon reused verso for a draft of a legal document (see separate record).

Letter from Shelomo b. Eliyyahu to Abū l-Faraj al-Makīn (probably his father-in-law). In Judaeo-Arabic. Prefaced by a single line of decorated biblical quotation. Shelomo mentions Abū l-Futūḥ al-Shamshūrī and how the addressee has cut off his letters (perhaps to be read in the context of the letters discussed by Krakowski in Coming of Age, pp.285–86). Shelomo also mentions the youth Abū l-ʿIzz (probably his cousin by the same name). (Information in part from CUDL)

Recto: The bottom few lines of a business letter in Judaeo-Arabic. Verso: In a different hand, instructions for what to load onto the boat: 23 burniyyas and a quffa of gum and a quffa of [it cuts off here].

Short note, probably in the hand of Yedutun ha-Levi, reporting that he has delivered certain items to the addressee. Abū l-Mufaḍḍal is mentioned. There are the remnants of a few words in Arabic on verso.

Small fragment of a Judaeo-Arabic letter.

Fragment of a letter from Shelomo b. Eliyyahu to Abū Sahl al-Ṣāyigh. Very little of the subject matter is discernible without a join.