Letter: T-S NS J139

Description

Letter addressed to the Nagid Abū l-Faḍl Shemuel (= Shemuel b. Ḥananya?). In Hebrew (for the introduction) and Judaeo-Arabic (for the body). Evidently a letter of appeal for charity, though begins with expressions of annoyance rather than deference (וגיר דלך אן אלממלוך עתבאן עלי אלמולי . . . ). The sender has been sick for 4 months, unable to do work. The times are difficult for everyone, even for aṣḥāb al-rasāmīl wa-l-dawālīb. This is a relatively long letter; merits further examination. (Information in part from Goitein's index card.)