Whenever the Jews succeeded in swaying a ruler (כל מושל ושליט) to restore the water supply, their enemies united and denied that the Jews had any right to the water. […]
However, the ruler "read (the documents and the decree) and cast them from his hand" and demanded hefty bribes before fulfilling any of the injunctions. The Jews' enemies were outraged and protested, but gave up in disgrace when the ruler said that they would have to obtain a counter-decree annulling the first one.
The increase of our iniquities caused the hand of the Arabs to strengthen its rule, until, growing bold, the tyrants of the city, its notables, its e…