ecommendation by Maimonides T-S 12.192

This letter, written from Cairo in the hand of Moses Maimonides (‘Rambam’, 1138–1204), is addressed to a rabbinic colleague in another Egyptian city, Minyat Zifta. He introduces a friend, Isaac al-Dar‘i and his son, pleading that the poll-tax which is due from them to the Muslim authorities should be paid by that community so that they can continue their journey to Damietta to undertake some business on his behalf.

Given that Rambam was one of the most outstanding rabbinic leaders that Cairo ever enjoyed, it is hardly surprising that there are many items among the Genizah texts that are written in his own hand. There are drafts of his major works – including medical as well as Jewish tracts – as well as decisions in Jewish law, and letters relating to his family, his role in the Jewish community and his fund-raising efforts.