רשומה קשורה ל-מסמך משפטי: ENA 2727.31

Recto

1. We, the witnesses placing our signatures at the bottom of this deed, say that when
2. it was Shabbat Hanukka, the first of the month of Tevet in the synagogue, may God protect it during the lifespan of
3. Israel, the judge, (may the) R(ock) P(rotect him), preached, and in the midst of his speech, he said: "It has reached me
4. that there are women (in this community) who deal with interest, and if this testimony about them is confirmed, I will denounce them and I will deal
5. in their matter as is required." (He said this) after on the two previous Saturdays he said, on one of them, that it had rea[ ched him]
6. also that there are Jews (in this community) who drink while listening to instrumental music. In their case,
7. the testimony was not confirmed, but were it confirmed, he would have done with them as required. In the other (Saturday sermon) he said that it had reached him
8. [ ... ] also that some Jewish women adorn and deck themselves and sit in the markets
9. [and do not avoid (?)] the gentiles. About them, testimony was (also) not confirmed. He was excessive in (his speech).
10. At this point, Abu l-Ḥasan al-Iskandarānī got up and said to him: "What is this speech that
11. our Rabbi speaks, 'It has reached me,' 'It has reached me; and 'If the testimony is confirmed' or 'The testimony was not confirmed'?! If something was
12. in truth attested, bring forth the one concerned, listen to what he says and incite him to return to God. If he does not accept this,
13. then denounce him. (This is) more appropriate than your saying 'It has reached me' about a vague group of people,
14. an expression that encompasses most of the community, which is not good to say. For in the synagogue there are foreigners of all kinds (qawm ghurabāʾ min jamīʿ al-ṣifāt),
15. and they hear about a congregation like this that on one Saturday their judge reproaches them for the immorality [of their women and on another Saturday]
16. he re[proa]ches them for instrumental music and on another Saturday that their women practice usury. If the testimony was not confirmed,

17. as you mentioned, then this is an evil rumor of him who said it and it is prohibited

    for you to listen to him for it is like

18. evil speech. Therefore, how do you reproach the community in public with the likes of this evil rumor? (The judge) answered: 

19. "I am preaching and I will reproach about more than this:' (Abu l-Ḥasan) retorted: "What sort of sermon is this that is accusatory of [him

20. who is preached to]?" The judge answered: "You lie, O ignorant one! You incite the hearts of the community!" (Abu l-Ḥasan) retorted:

21. "[Let us consult 51(?)] a scholar (talmid ḥakhamim) and let him evaluate what I say, whether it is permissible or impermissible and if

22. [ ... it is an evil rumor(?)] as I said, then next Saturday you would proclaim it publicly in [the synagogue? ... ]

23. after your public proclamation. And what happened between them [