Letter: T-S 8.106

Description

Letter from a Qaraite leader in Damascus to a Qaraite leader in Fustat. In Judaeo-Arabic. Dating: Goitein suggests ca. 1000 CE, likely too early; Gil’s speculative dating of 1040 CE is more likely correct given that Hesed was appointed to Ramla around that time, and the letter came from Damascus. This letter is sent accompanying a petition to Ḥesed al-Tustarī, asking the addressee to intervene on behalf of the sender. The sender had been employed by the government (istiʿmāl) against his will for a period of two years and suffered greatly; he became cut off from the Jewish community in this time; he has been seeking a rescript from the caliph (al-ḥaḍra al-ṭāhira) exempting him from further government employment, and he also hopes to move to Ramla. (Information in part from Rustow, Heresy, p. 322, note 63.)