Letter: T-S 8J18.28

Letter T-S 8J18.28

Tags

Input date

In PGP since 1990

Description

Letter from Yahya b. ‘Ammar (basis for identification unclear), who had reached Jerusalem with the help of a benefactor in Fustat, petitioning for assistance so that he may remain in Jerusalem (“Har-El”(?)). The letter, written by a scribe, utilizes the biblical phrase from Psalm 61:5, that God may cover his would-be benefactor “with the cover (be-seter) of His wings.” The verso contains a line from Psalm 119:165 and notes that the letter was dictated by Saadya b. Futuh. (Mark Cohen, Voices of the Poor, 23; and S. D. Goitein, Mediterranean Society, 5:35, 514) EMS

T-S 8J18.28 1r

1r

Transcription

S. D. Goitein, unpublished editions.

Recto:

  1. קצדתך וקצדת פצלך אן תעינני באיש מא סהל אללה עלי אלמקאם פי
  2. הדא אלמוצע אלשריף פאסל אללה תע יכתר כירך ויזידך מן דלך מזיד
  3. כל כיר ויכתר פי אלאמה מתלך ויגמלנא בטול בקאך אלהים יסתירך
  4. בסתר כנפיו ויצילך מכל צרה וצוקה ותזכה לחזות בנועם יי ולבקר
  5. בהיכלו יי עוז לעמו יתן יברך את עמו בשלום והודא עיניי
  6. מ]תטלעה למא יגיני מן מולאי פאסל אללה יתיבה ויורינא וגהה פי
  7. הדא אלמוצע עלי כיר ועאפיה אמן

Translation

Mark Cohen, The Voice of the Poor in the Middle Ages (Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2005).

[...] I turn to you and ask you that you kindly assist me with anything that God provides so that I might remain in Har-El, the noble place. I ask God the ex(alted) to increase your well-being and add to it and multiply among our people the likes of you. May He favor us with your long life. May God cover you with the cover of His wings and save you from all evil and distress and may you merit to see the goodness of the Lord and to visit his sanctuary. The Lord grants strength to His people and blesses His people with peace. I am [l]ooking forward to what my master sends me. I ask God to reward you and grant that we see your face in this place in a state of well-being and good [h]ealth. Amen.

T-S 8J18.28 1v

1v

Verso:

  1. שלום רב לאהבי תורתיך ואין למו מכשול
  2. הדא אמלי סעדיה בן פתוח

"Those who love Your teaching enjoy well-being; they encounter no adversity" (Psalm 119:165). Dictated by Saadya b. Futūḥ.

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