מכתב: T-S 8.141

תיאור

Letter of introduction, signed by Shemuel b. Avraham, in an unknown location, on behalf of Yosef b. Ḥelbo, addressed to a Jewish community (לכבודכם, although later uses singular אשריך). In Hebrew, written on parchment. Quite faded. The senders report that Yosef lived among them and was known for his good traits; that his ancestors were "[men of] a good name until the day they died"; that "he did not wish to take a wife"; that he requested this letter, addressed "to our brothers Israel... (attesting) that he is humble and shamefaced"; and they ask the addressees to treat him well, probably by giving him money. Ḥelbo (חלבו) is a rare name, and it is tempting to connect this figure to Menaḥem ben Ḥelbo (11th century), who indeed had a nephew named Yosef (Qara) — but that Yosef spent his life in Troyes. (Information in part from CUDL.) ASE