Letter: Yevr.-Arab. II 1467

Description

Recto: Letter from Shemuel(?) to Hārūn. The writer may be the husband of the addressee's paternal aunt. In Judaeo-Arabic. Locations unknown; the writer mentions someone who arrived from Cairo with news. Dating: 15th century or later, based on the mention of the currency ashrafī. Much of the letter consists of expressions of condolence. The writer reports that the addressee's paternal aunt is crying and screaming due to the death of the family member as well as due to her separation from the addressee. She is fasting and has not eaten fatty foods (zafar) in 12 days, and refuses to do so until news arrives of the addressee's health. Verso: Letter fragment, probably. In Judaeo-Arabic. Describes scenes of horrific violence around the synagogue in Fustat inflicted by 'the youths' (al-shubbān). Umm ʿAbd al-Ghaffār was beaten. Others were rounded up and tortured. Much of it is a lament that would almost be appropriate for a Tisha b'Av service were it not for the specific details (a synagogue in Fustat/Cairo, the individuals named). Needs further examination.