Document of Appointment of a Jewish Leader

This is a copy of a document, written in Arabic script and found in the Cairo Geniza, by the Muslim authority Al-Malik al-Afḍal ‘Alī. It appoints Abū l-Ma‘ālī ‘Abdallah as head of the Jewish community in Syria. There is little other information about Abū ’l-Ma‘ālī ‘Abdallah, who was also known by his Hebrew name Obadiah ibn ‘Ullah. This document praises Obadiah and mentions that he will be the leader of all the communities of Jews: Rabbanites, Karaites, and Samaritans. This copy was written into a notebook by a private individual.