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Widow of Ben Naḥman

Metadata

Gender
Female
Social role
  • Jewish community member

Description / Bio

The widow of Ben Naḥman, the cantor, was her late husband's second wife. Upon his death, her stepsons and sister-in-law kicked her out, stole her deed to the house, and physically abused her. Cohen posits the Gaon she addresses in two of the petitions is likely Maṣliaḥ ha-Kohen b. Solomon, which would date her troubles to his time in office (1127–39). Cohen, Voice of the Poor, 89.

Select bibliography

  1. Mark Cohen, The Voice of the Poor in the Middle Ages (Princeton University Press, 2005).
Rachel Richman, "Widow of Ben Naḥman," available online through the Princeton Geniza Project at https://geniza.princeton.edu/people/widow-of-ben-nahman/, accessed June 3, 2026.
https://geniza.princeton.edu/people/widow-of-ben-nahman/