Documents

Primary language

Hebrew

I do not wish to tell you all the respect they paid me." Due to the difficulty of leaving, he resorted to "a trick" and told them that he wanted to visit all the graves of the righteous in Palestine, so he left and his party traveled the country from Dan to Be'er Sheva.

Related Places

3

Tags

• 16th c
• damascus
• late heb
• late jerusalem
• sephardim

1 Transcription

Document date

29 Tishrei 2023 Seleucid (12 October 1711 CE)

Primary languages

Aramaic, Hebrew

Bill of divorce (get). Location: Al-Saʿdiyya, a part of Ṣanʿāʾ in Yemen, based on the landmarks listed: בירין דמיין נבעין דילה. […] When inverting the verso text as a mirror image, the name Yaḥya b. Yahuda al-Ṣafīra becomes legible in line 1. Subsequent lines deal with a house, perhaps a real estate transaction.

Related Places

1

Tags

• get
• yemen

1 Transcription

Primary language

Hebrew

In the continuation it becomes apparent that the epidemic is already in Fustat/Cairo. The writer heard from Yiṣḥaq Ashkenazi and from Yeshuʿa Zimati(?) […] The writer's sister will remain Rashīd until the addressee arrives; in the meantime, the writer has made all necessary provisions for her. Information in part from FGP.

Related Places

2

Tags

• epidemic
• epidemic: magefa

1 Transcription

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

. . . yourself, since when something happens to your household, we are innocent of it. . . with them in this madness (khabṭ). . . everyone in the city is telling him to sell her, because if she remains with the girl (al-ṣaghīra), [she will remain?] agitated. . . For my mother, God have mercy on her, did not [get stricken with a fatal illness?] […] (everyone) greets you with peace, and Sitt al-Umam. . . ."

1 Transcription

MS heb. b 3/28 + T-S 12.128 (PGPID 560) and Friedman, Jewish Marriage in Palestine, 2:21 n. 15) and a garment (thawb). The number "25" is also preserved in the bottom line. Reused on recto for rhymed Hebrew praises probably addressed to a dignitary (some of the phrases don't seem consistent with praises for God).

No Scholarship Records

Document date

1139 CE

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

(Information from Goitein and Friedman, India Book IV) Also discussed in: (1) Mordechai A. Friedman, ‘On Judah ha-Levi and the Martyrdom of a Head of the Jews: A Letter by Ḥalfon ha-Levi b.

Related Places

1

Tags

• autograph
• ib-untranslated-eng
• ib4
• india book
• yehuda ha-levi

2 Transcriptions 2 Translations

Document date

426–30 Hijrī (16 November 1034–22 September 1039 CE)

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

In this early period, the qodesh is already in charge of cleaning operations and removal of garbage. […] (Information from Gil, Documents, pp. 154 #8.) Join: Alan Elbaum. Very likely an indirect join with T-S 10J11.26 + T-S K25.227 + T-S Ar.44.223 + T-S Ar.18(1).181 (PGPID 1346).

Related People

1

Tags

• account
• heqdesh
• qodesh
• waqf

1 Transcription 1 Translation

Inferred date

1517–1800 CE

Primary language

Ottoman Turkish

Letter in Ottoman Turkish to the sultan that references at least three imperial officials and the transfer of a thousand qantars of gunpowder "bārūt" (l. 5) from Rashid to Alexandria. Given the presence of Ottoman garrisons in each port, this detail helps date the document as post-1517 CE.

Related Places

2

Tags

• gunpowder
• ottoman turkish
• sultan

No Scholarship Records

Document date

Adar 2176 Seleucid (1865 CE)

Primary language

Hebrew

Another signatory is Sulaymān b. Yūsuf al-Qārih (אלקארה), perhaps the brother of Qāfiḥ's teacher Yaḥyā b. Yūsuf al-Qārih. Merits further examination. (Information in part from CUDL.)

Related Places

1

No Scholarship Records

Document date

4811 Anno Mundi (March 1051 CE)

Primary language

Hebrew

Groom: Shela b. ʿAmram al-Qirqisānī, of Tyre. Both the bride and groom are represented by agents. […] The groom appointed his agent (Shelomo b. ʿAdiya b. Menashshe al-Qazzāz, witnessed by Yefet […] Shelomo b. Abraham and Shemuʾel b.

Related Places

2

Tags

• ketubba
• marriage
• qaraite
• tyre

2 Transcriptions 1 Translation

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

A distressed letter to Abū ʿImrān, in the house of Umm Ḥasana, on the alley of the synagogue, Fustat. The handwriting and spelling are very rudimentary. The letter opens with the usual, "I assure you that I am in full well-being and health, all I lack is the sight of you. Otherwise: we are in terrible distress from the high prices and the lack of a living.

Related Places

1

Tags

• food
• poverty
• tailor

1 Transcription

Primary language

Hebrew

David (ll. 5–7). The writer also mentions his brother Yiṣḥaq who lives in Jerusalem (ll. 7–8).

Related Places

2

1 Transcription

Document date

Elul 7th 1425 Seleucid (11 August 1114 CE)

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

The list consists of dinars in bankers’ notes, gold cash, and in bars of precious metals; various vessels, two female slaves, and promissory notes are also referenced. The document was written by Ḥalfon b.

Related People

2

Related Places

2

Tags

• estate
• halfon b. menashshe
• slaves

2 Transcriptions 1 Discussion

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Letter apparently from Abū Zikrī Kohen, in Fusṭāṭ, to an unidentified addressee, apparently in Alexandria. In Judaeo-Arabic. Containing news about Aden.

Related People

1

Related Places

1

Tags

• fatwa
• ib5
• india book
• ivory
• musk
• (+ 3 more)

2 Transcriptions

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Dating: ca. early 13th century (Goitein's estimate, apparently based on identifying "majlis sayyidinā wa-majlis al-Shaykh Abū Isḥāq" as a reference to Avraham Maimonides and Avraham he-Ḥasid respectively). […] Goes on to mention saffron; collecting debts; not "cutting off" the sessions of Sayyidnā and al-Shaykh Abū Isḥaq; having sent with Hilāl 12 dirhams; 8 pounds of myrtle; and a quantity of beautiful and kosher (for sukkot) citrons — the word appears to be spelled תורנג (tūrunj) here.

Related People

1

Tags

• trade
• wakil al-tujjar

1 Transcription 1 Discussion

Primary language

Hebrew

Dating: Possibly 17th century. The sender also signs his name Mordechai Ṣefati ha-Kohen. "I beseech the master to speak with the parnasim of the congregations to give me what they see fit, sufficient for the expenses of travel, for God willing, I plan to go to the land of Israel.

Related Places

1

Tags

• appeal
• charity
• conflict
• curses
• kashan

1 Discussion

Inferred date

1066–1108 CE

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

T-S 20.110 (PGPID 1774)) gives 50 dinars to his elder daughter Sitt al-Aqrān Mufaddāt and 25 dinars to his younger daughter Sitt al-Yumn Taqiyya.

Related People

5

Tags

• dowry
• partnership

2 Transcriptions 1 Discussion

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

The note at the bottom of verso probably summarizes this record: the bride receives half a house in Fustat in partnership with her infant brother Bū Manṣūr. Her mother is Sitt al-Fakhr. The word al-Raqqāṣ appears, either part of the house's name or the mother's name.

Related People

2

Related Documents

1

1 Transcription 1 Discussion

Document date

Middle third of Iyyar 14[6]3 Seleucid (17 April 1152–26 April 1152 CE)

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Pe'er ha-Kohanim appoints Abū Saʿd al-Ṣabbāgh al-[...] b. Avraham (ZL) as his agent in suing Abū l-Ḥasan Yefet b.

Related Places

1

No Scholarship Records

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Addressed to 'my brother' Abū l-Ḥasan [...] b. Sahl al-Yoʾavi(?). Mentions "the matter of the marriage of Mūsā." […] I cannot cut her off in this... he is currently the supervisor (al-nāẓir)...." Needs further examination. (Information in part from Goitein's index card.)

Tags

• unedited 11th c

1 Discussion

Document date

Adar 1448 Seleucid (25 January 1137–23 February 1137 CE)

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Elʿazar/Manṣūr to his wife Turfa bt. [...] al-ʿAsqalānī. Against a security (rahn) of a golden bracelet (siwār). […] Verso: receipt of payment, and "to Abū Saʿīd al-Zajjāj." There are several other documents which seem to involve the same couple: T-S NS J468 (PGPID 8796), Moss.

Related People

3

Related Places

1

Tags

• loan
• marital reconciliation

1 Transcription 1 Discussion

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Abū l-Barakat reminds Shelomo that Sitt Ghazāl’s relatives had only reluctantly agreed to let her depart for Alexandria in the first place, and that they had made this concession in good faith, believing that he would treat her well.

Tags

• marital strife
• marriage
• shelomo b. eliyyahu
• sitt ghazal

2 Transcriptions 1 Translation 1 Discussion

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Shelomo ha-Kohen regarding alleged arrears in a compound of the Qodesh, ca. 1130. The two overseers of the qodesh who were in charge of an unnamed compound complained about arrears of two months owed by one of the tenants, Abu'l-Ḥasan b. al-Hazzan. The tenant in the meantime has left the apartment.

Related People

2

Tags

• 12th c
• arrears
• communal

1 Transcription 1 Translation 1 Discussion

Primary languages

Arabic, Judaeo-Arabic

Specifically, the writer requests the price of a qirṭās (probably meaning a bag) of nuqūʿ (which can mean infusion, as of a medicine, but also dried apricots, which would more easily go in a bag).

Tags

• arabic script
• illness
• illness letter 969-1517
• illness: children's
• illness: nazla
• (+ 4 more)

1 Transcription 1 Discussion

Inferred date

1150–1181 CE

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Nathan. In this document, Abū al-Makārim Nadiv ha-Levi b. Moses ha-Levi settles a partnership account on behalf of Samuel due the father of Abū Naṣr and Abū al-Majd, perhaps upon the death of the father and the termination of the partnership.

Related People

1

Tags

• partnership
• release

2 Transcriptions 1 Translation 1 Discussion

Primary language

Hebrew

Letter to Ḥana the wife of Yosef al-Boṭinī, in Cairo (מצרי׳), from one of her siblings asking her to convince their brother to pay what he owes to the writer. The writer's location is טירייא, possibly the Egyptian town al-Ṭayriyya on the Rashidī branch of the Nile (this is not a common location in geniza documents and requires further research/confirmation).

Related Places

3

1 Transcription 1 Discussion

Document date

last third of Ḥeshvan 1416 Seleucid (11 November 1104–19 November 1104 CE)

Deathbed declaration of an old man, bringing his two sons before four witnesses and explaining that all he possesses in cash is 33 gold pieces. In view of such a small estate, he was afraid they would quarrel, wherefore he decided to arrange the distribution while still capable. The testator is [...] b. Moshe ha-Levi al-Ramlī. His sons are Abū ʿImrān Moshe and Abū l-Faraj.

Related People

1

Related Places

1

Tags

• deathbed will

1 Transcription 1 Discussion

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Letter in Judaeo-Arabic, probably 13th-century or later, from a physician or druggist to a respected person named Avraham who also has a son named Shelomo. The writer greets Avraham's wife and wishes her a speedy recovery.

Tags

• illness
• illness letter 969-1517
• illness: khudura
• illness: physician
• illness: sympathy
• (+ 6 more)

1 Transcription

Document date

Tammuz 4764 Anno Mundi (22 June 1004–20 July 1004 CE)

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Yaʿaqov sells his 8 shares of a house (one third of the total 24 shares), which borders the house of Ben Masīḥ the Christian, to Yeḥezqel b. Masʿūd al-ʿAqrabānī, for the sum of 70 Muʿizzī dinars. […] ʿUlla, Aharon b. David al-Raqqī, Hiba b. Aharon, and Yeshuʿa b. ʿEli ha-Kohen.

Related Places

1

1 Transcription 1 Discussion

Primary language

Hebrew

Menashshe (son of Abū Sahl Menashshe b. Ibrāhīm Ibn al-Qazzāz), a leading Qaraite courtier, who was kātib al-jaysh in Syria-Palestine for the Fatimids, c. 1020s.

Tags

• panegyric

1 Discussion

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Model letters here include: asking someone to do something for you; responding to a request to do something for someone; and congratulations upon the birth of a son (ghulām) or daughter (ibna/jāriya); it is not immediately clear if these terms which literally mean "male slave" and "female slave" refer to actual slaves here (probably not, and Goitein does not seem to think so; he also notes that he has never encountered an actual Geniza letter with congratulations on the birth of a girl).

Related Documents

1

1 Discussion

Inferred date

1100–1138 CE

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Letter from Yefet b. Menashshe Ibn al-Qaṭāʾif to his brother Ḥalfon b. Menashshe (fl. 1100–1138 CE). […] (Information in part from CUDL.) AA/ASE. Join: Alan Elbaum

Related People

2

Related Places

1

No Scholarship Records

Document date

Thursday, 23 Ḥeshvan 1542 Seleucid (31 October 1230 CE)

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Deathbed will in which Sitt al-Dalāl bt. Ḥananel (n’e) endows the enslaved woman who took care of her through illness with freedom (and likely other objects/property in the missing half of this document). […] contract between Shelomo ha-Levi and Abū Saʿd b. Ibrāhīm al-Ṣabbāgh. RR. ASE. For transcription and Hebrew description, see Rivlin, Inheritance and Wills, #60, pp. 395–96.

Related People

3

Related Places

1

1 Discussion

Document date

Iyar 1453 Seleucid (28 April 1142–26 May 1142 CE)

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

On verso it then refers to a government decree (manshūr karīm) and rescripts (tawqīʿāt kirām) apparently regarding the appointing of a communal head (li-taqdimatihī ʿalaykum). This is dated Shevaṭ 1451 Seleucid = December 1139 / January 1140 CE along with the location (Ṣoʿan = Fustat).

Related People

1

Related Places

1

No Scholarship Records

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Letter from Hilāl b. Avraham, in Alexandria(?), to his brother Abū Naṣr b. Avraham, in Fustat(?).

Related People

2

2 Transcriptions 1 Discussion

Document date

13 Tishrei 1531 Seleucid (24 September 1219 CE)

Communal records, perhaps defective, consisting in payments to specified persons (all in promissory notes, ruq'a), to three officials, for bread, and for the transport of palm branches (for Sukkot). […] Normally one would expect yearly or half-yearly, but in that period (1219), when the community was always short of funds, weekly revenue, even though small, was welcome (Mediterranean Society, II, p. 430)].

Tags

• 13th c
• account
• communal
• salary

3 Transcriptions 1 Discussion

Document date

8 Tishrei 1554 Seleucid (4 September 1242 CE)

Primary language

Judaeo-Arabic

Several entries: (1) Valuation (taqwīm) of a dowry. Bride: Sitt al-Majd bt. ʿOvadya. Groom: Saʿadya b. Mevorakh. […] (2) Marriage of a divorcee or widow. Bride: Sitt al-Waqār bt. Yosef. Groom: ʿAfīf b. Elʿazar. Marriage payments: 2 + 20.

Related People

1

1 Discussion