Geniza Lab

Fragment from the opening of a letter in Judaeo-Arabic. On this fragment there are mainly holiday greetings, but the Hebrew opening suggests that the writer is in some distress and preparing to ask for help. Chances of a join seem high.

Very short note from Elʿazar to R. Yosef: "I need the silver very much, please send it with the bearer." Verso has a few letters in Hebrew, probably pen trials.

Short, faded note to 'al-melammed' telling the addressee to take a 'dast' (a certain quantity) from 'this paper,' for the writer is without employment.

Short note from Shelomo b. Eliyyahu, ordering a medicinal syrup (sharāb) from al-Shaykh al-Nafīs.

A family letter written by Meir b. Hillel b. Sadoq to his three brothers. He objects to the marriage of Abu al-Mufadal, one of his brothers, and he urges this brother to devote more effort to his religious studies.

Fragment of a letter in Judaeo-Arabic, very faded. The writer sends regards to his father and paternal uncle.

Interesting letter in calligraphic Judaeo-Arabic, probably 15th century or later, full of creative spellings, probably from someone whose mother tongue was not Arabic. The writer is probably Yosef פלקון (line 3), but someone named Yiṣḥaq Sūsī also 'speaks' in the first person starting 4 lines from the bottom. In any case, the letter was sent from Alexandria to Shemuel b. Avraham מחיץ, in Tinnīs. The content of the letter is not as interesting as its context and form; it mainly consists of inquiring about family news and small transactions. The writer sends regards to the addressee's mother Doña Dolsa—addressed as al-Ḥurra al-Jalīla—and to Simḥa and Seʿadya and Esther and Ḥanna and the little ones and big ones and Bū Najwā (?). The addresee is to forward some letters in "Frankish" (Spanish? Ladino?) to בונאנד (?). ASE.

Letter in Judaeo-Arabic in rudimentary handwriting, early 13th century (I think it is 11th century [AA]), addressed to "my brother" Abū l-Ghayth. Abū l-Majd recently arrived in Bilbays and told the writer that he had gone with Umm Abū l-Ghayth (perhaps the writer's sister who shares a name with their mother?) to the Rayyis, and conducted the symbolic purchase to the effect that she will give him (the addressee?) the qumāsh (dowry) of his (the addressee's?) sister on Thursday. The writer continues, "As soon as you see this letter, go to Abū l-Faraj b. al-Rayyis al-Iskandarānī (aka Eliyyahu the Judge), and go with him to the Rayyis, and take possession of the dowry of your sister's daughter." There follows a difficult sentence, then the writer lists all the items in the dowry. The relationships and the legal standing of the various parties are confusing. Needs further examination. ASE.

Enigmatic fragment of a letter in Judaeo-Arabic describing what happened to the writer in front of the addressee's house; how people were appealing for help on account of the capitation tax; how the writer has lost 25 dirhams; and how there is 'ḥamas' in the country. Also, Abū l-Ḥasan has asked the writer for clay and/or bricks. Verso contains several crossed-out lines and the address in Arabic: to Fustat, to Manṣūr b. al-Ḥazzān (?) al-[. . .] from his brother Abū Saʿd.

Informal note addressed to a judge. In the hand of Hillel b. ʿEli (active 1066–1108). In Judaeo-Arabic. A woman came to Hillel with a bill of divorce (here called "baraʾa," release) supposedly written in the hand of the addressee, but he suspects that it is a forgery, because the addressee, the purported scribe, does not habitually date his documents with the Seleucid calendar. Furthermore, the verso of the bill of divorce does not contain the required statement that it was delivered to the woman. The addressee is asked to look into this (al-naẓar fīhā). The women's husband is missing (maʿdūm). (Information from Oded Zinger's forthcoming edition.)

Fragment of a late letter in Hebrew, likely ca. 16th century, mentioning sums in peraḥim.

Fragment of a letter, probably by the same Shelomo who wrote T-S 8J24.16. (It is unclear if this is Shelomo b. Eliyyahu—his letters do not have the very distinctive lameds found in these two letters.) He writes about Rabbenu Yosef b. Shimʿon; the writer's arrival 'in these parts'; and the Nagid, titled Rosh ha-Ḥasidim

Letter of condolence in Hebrew on a narrow strip of vellum. The writer mentions persecution by evildoers, which seems to be the reason that his / his community's letter of condolence has been so long delayed.

Letter from Aharon ha-Kohen b. ʿAmram (ZL), in ʿAkkā, to his son Shemarya b. Aharon, in Fustat. The son should not be content to study with his paternal uncle, but should study instead under Rabbenu. He should avoid evil occupations like drinking wine. The writer also sends condolences to Rabbenu. He hopes that the son will get a post (with the Nagid Mevorakh?). Dating: Late 11th century, because this Aharon signed T-S 28.4, l. 20, with Ṣemaḥ b. Yosef b. Ṣemaḥ (ZL), dated Tammuz 1100 (where he is quoted) and T-S 10J6.14 (which he also wrote). There are a couple very faded lines on verso. (Information in part from Goitein's index card.)

Letter in Judaeo-Arabic to someone addressed as Sayyidnā, reporting that on Friday, the 24th of Adar I, R. Shemarya al-Kohen went to the market and slaughtered, even after taking a vow that he would have nothing to do (?) with the 'matters of the Jews.' It seems he was encroaching on the rights of the legitimate muqaddam, who may have been ʿUbayd, 'who is recognized by the majority of the Gazans.' There is then an aside about how the Gazans are not very bright (?), and the Tiberians are also mentioned. Abū Kathīr Efrayim b. Meshullam suggested to the writer that he go to the Amir, who said, "you have infringed on the muqaddam who is in charge of you" (four lines from the bottom). The Kohen then defended himself, perhaps claiming that he did not violate his vow. Needs further examination. ASE.

Opening of a Hebrew letter.

Small fragment of a Judaeo-Arabic letter mentioning Mūsā b. Burhān, Faraḥ the writer's brother-in-law, Abū l-Faḍl, and someone titled Sayyidnā.

Small fragment in Hebrew, possibly from a letter.

Small fragment of a letter in Judaeo-Arabic addressed to al-Rayyis Abū l-Faḍl b. A[...]. Mentions al-thaghr al-maḥrūs and possibly Tyre.

Fragment of a letter in Judaeo-Arabic.