Estate Inventory (Fustāt, Egypt)

The weekly Torah portion “Va-etḥanan” [Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11]; the entire Book of [Commandments by] Ḥefets [ben Yatsliaḥ]; [halakhic] questions; the Introduction [to the Talmud] of Samuel ben Ḥofni [Ga’on]; [Rashi’s] commentary on tractate Sukkah; [halakhic] questions; Gemara: Me‘ilah; commentary on Yevamot; Tractate Niddah; three booklets: a commentary on Niddah, a commentary on Bava Batra, and a commentary on Makkot; Book of Geometry in Hebrew letters; collected midrashim; Fasts; [Se‘adya Ga’on’s] Book of Refutation of the Separatists [i.e., the Karaites]; Gemara: Bava Meẓi’a; glossary of Seder Mo‘ed; subjects connected to the year [i.e., the daily prayers for the whole year]; commentary on Job; midrash of the sages [possibly chapter 6 of Pirke avot]; questions; commentary on Genesis; collection of midrash; [Nissim Ibn Shāhīn’s] The Scroll of Secrets; some of [the Muslim philosopher] al-Kindi’s treatises; questions; homiletic interpretation of the [book of] Lamentations; [Se‘adya Ga’on’s] Book of the Spheres [on astronomy]; the Twelve Prophets; Scripture; commentary on Bava Batra; [Samuel ben Ḥofni Ga’on’s] Book [of Abutter’s Rights] to Preempt [Sale]; glossary of the Mishnah; questions; additional questions; midrash on Ḥayye Sarah [Genesis 23:1]; penitential prayers for the Day of Atonement; Samuel; Scripture; commentary on Job; homiletical sermons; questions; a bundle containing notes and reminders; [various] booklets; penitential prayers for the Day of Atonement; a bundle containing booklets; a booklet containing an index of responsa; Evel Rabbati [the minor tractate on mourning]; Book of Tradition; explication of words; a book on medicine; homiletic interpretation of the [book of] Ruth; questions; a bundle with penitential prayer; [Hayya Ga’on’s] Norms of Conduct for the Judge.

Isaac ben Samuel, may he rest in peace

Abraham bar Shemaiah he-ḥaver [the fellow], great-grandson of Shemaiah Ga’on

Abraham ben Aaron he-ḥaver

[Right margin:] A booklet was brought containing all the compositions of the geonim and someone among those who were present said that it was the property of Ezekiel he-ḥaver [ben Eli ha-Kohen].

[Upper margin:] And we have found the half part of [tractate] Ketubbot. [Written] on it is . . . Tsedakah ha-Kohen and the commentary on Bava Batra by Ibn al-Sulami.

Source: CUL T-S 10K20.8.

Translated by Dora Zsom.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 3: Encountering Christianity and Islam.

Engage with this Source

This rather lengthy enumeration of the holdings of an estate is signed by three well-known members of the Fustāt (Old Cairo) Jewish community. The deceased evidently owned a good number of books, including assorted talmudic tractates, midrashic collections, geonic works, and assorted scientific writings. There is no discernible pattern to the enumeration. These lists offer a window into the personal libraries of well-to-do individuals and fill gaps in our knowledge of books written in this time, many of which do not survive.

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