מסמך משפטי: AIU VII.D.33

תיאור

Draft of a dowry list on the verso of a letter dated May 1802 CE (the 17th of matmonim i.e. the Omer = 2 Iyyar 5562 AM). The draft was recorded later in the year, given that it lists the wedding date as 12 Tishrei 5563 AM (October 1802 CE). The scribal hand is inexperienced and, thus, cannot be that of the letter recipient/expert scribe Me'ir Ben-Naʿim. The dowry list names the bride Leah Merqada bt. Saʿad Temīm and groom David b. Yaʿaqov Menashe aka מנשזי(?). Many of the bride's clothing and bedding items listed are embroidered in silver/gold (בקצב) such as: a head cover, a belt, and blankets. There is mention of a specific item intended for the groom in ll. 21-22: "חצי בלדה שמאשיר לחתן" (half an outfit, swords for the groom). Given the syntax, it is unclear if the Persian term "swords" is intended here as a design or a separate item. For a contemporary reference c. 1805 CE where it is clear that swords are provided as a distinct dowry item/gift for the groom, see l. 24 in: BL OR 5543.11 (PGPID 31334). The draft dowry list ends with the ketubba valuation of 48,000 medin. MCD.