Two Judaeo-Arabic Letters to Abraham Maimonides

The article presents and analyses two Judaeo-Arabic letters from the Cairo Geniza, addressing issues surrounding the appointment of Moses ben Peraḥya as a communal leader (muqaddam) in Minyat Ziftā and Minyat Ghamr under Abraham Maimonides. The first letter, written by supporters, recommends Moses for the post, highlighting his virtues, adherence to Jewish law, and opposition to his rivals. The second letter, written by a critic or rival, accuses Moses of abusing his authority, mishandling responsibilities such as teaching, and creating divisions in the community. The documents illustrate the complexities of communal leadership in medieval Egyptian Jewry, including patronage systems, local rivalries, and the Nagid’s role in maintaining balance. These letters reveal the dynamics of power, religious authority, and interpersonal tensions in Jewish communities during the Maimonidean era.