Judaeo-Persica II: The Jewish-Persian law report from Ahwaz, A. D. 1020
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Judaeo-Persica II: The Jewish-Persian law report from Ahwaz, A. D. 1020
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Original source:
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Jes P. Amunsen
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Judaeo-Persica II: The Jewish-Persian law report from Ahwaz, A. D. 1020
Year: 1964 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.5239
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Jewish-Persian studies hold significant value due to their lexicographical, phonetic, historical, and literary contributions, especially with their ancient textual material. Among these, the Jewish-Persian documents are the oldest known written examples of Persian. The text in discussion provides a comprehensive overview of several key findings, including the Jewish-Persian Law Report from Ahwaz dated A.D. 1020, which highlights the relevance of Jewish-Persian literature and its connections with various cultural influences that shaped it over centuries.
The Significance of the Law Report from Ahwaz
One of the critical texts examined is the Jewish-Persian Law Report from Ahwaz, which dates back to A.D. 1020. This document is notable for being 35 years older than the earliest existing Persian manuscript in Arabic script, thereby providing valuable insights into the legal and cultural conditions of Jewish communities in medieval Persia. An earlier publication of this text by D. S. Margoliouth sparked interest and initiated further study, emphasizing its historical relevance and its potential for shedding light on Jewish life during the period.
Lexical and Grammatical Features
The text highlights distinct lexical and grammatical characteristics found within the Law Report, distinguishing it from other contemporary documents. For instance, various words denote specific legal terminologies and possess influences from Middle Persian and Pahlavi, demonstrating the linguistic evolution within the Jewish-Persian community. The presence of Hebrew elements within the text further signifies the integration of Jewish tradition with Persian culture, establishing a multifaceted linguistic landscape.
Cultural Context and Historical Relevance
The document not only serves as a legal report but also reflects the broader cultural milieu of the time. The Jewish merchants and communities in places such as Ahwaz had intricate interactions with surrounding populations, influencing and being influenced by Persian culture. This interchange is corroborated by historical accounts indicating that Jewish travelers and merchants embarked on vital trade routes, connecting Europe and Asia via Persia. The Law Report stands as evidence of the legal frameworks that governed these communities and their relations in a multifaceted economic environment.
Conclusion
The study of Jewish-Persian texts, particularly the Law Report from Ahwaz, is instrumental in illuminating the historical, cultural, and linguistic dynamics of medieval Persia. The document encapsulates a wealth of information regarding the legal practices of Jewish communities while simultaneously reflecting the merging of Jewish and Persian cultural identities. Further research in this domain promises to enhance our understanding of the social fabric of historical Persia and the lasting impacts of these interactions on contemporary Jewish-Persian communities.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the Jewish Persian Law Report from Ahwaz?
The Jewish Persian Law Report from Ahwaz is a significant historical document dating from A.D. 1020, notable for its age and language, being older than the earliest known Persian texts.
Who published the Law Report from Ahwaz?
The Law Report from Ahwaz was first published by D. S. Margoliouth in 1899, which included translation and notes, and it has since stimulated further research and studies.
What languages are included in the Law Report?
The Law Report contains Jewish-Persian text along with Arabic and Pahlavi elements, showcasing the linguistic diversity present in historical documentation from the region.
How does the Law Report compare in age to other texts?
This document is 35 years older than the earliest existing Persian manuscript in Arabic letters, making it crucial for understanding early Persian literature and Jewish history.
What are the notable features of this historical text?
It features a blend of languages and documents various legal matters, revealing cultural interactions and Jewish legal practices in a Persian context during the 11th century.
What is the significance of Judeo-Persian studies?
Judeo-Persian studies are important for their lexicographical, phonetic, and historical contributions, and because they preserve cultural, linguistic, and literary heritage of Persian Jews.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for “Judaeo-Persica II: The Jewish-Persian law report from Ahwaz, A. D. 1020”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Dialect:
Dialect. The text mentions various Jewish-Persian texts, highlighting their linguistic features, phonetic variations, and historical significance. These texts provide insights into the dialectical differences within Middle and New Persian languages over the centuries.
2) Tatan:
This term appears alongside other legal terms in the text, referring to 'dadan', which means 'to give' in Persian. This is part of legal language used in documents like contracts and decrees.
3) Literature:
Literature. The text underscores the literary importance of Jewish-Persian studies, including commentary, inscriptions, and correspondence found in different regions, all contributing to the broader Persian literary history.
4) Merchant:
A fragmentary letter written by a Jewish merchant from the 8th century discovered at Dandän Uiliq near Khotan showcases the mercantile activities and interactions of Jewish communities in Persian regions.
5) Khotan:
Khotan. An important historical site where a Jewish-Persian letter was found. This document, dated to the 8th century, provides insight into the trade routes and cultural exchanges of that time.
6) Desire:
Found in the glossary list, 'desire' is linked to words like 'šhwt' (wish, desire). These terms often appear in legal and personal contexts in Jewish-Persian texts, illustrating social customs and personal motivations.
7) Mayan:
The text references 'mayan', a Tajiki term for personal pronouns. This demonstrates the dialectical variations and the linguistic evolution of Persian languages across different regions.
8) Antar:
Andar. 'Andarburdy' is a term used in the text, meaning 'to bring in'. It reflects how Middle Persian terms were used in Jewish-Persian legal and administrative documents.
9) Jacob:
A common Jewish name, here appearing as 'bn y'qwb' (son of Jacob). Names like these in the texts help trace genealogy and community affiliations in Jewish-Persian history.
10) Alam (Alaṁ):
Mentioned in the context of 'Hudud al-'Alam' (Regions of the World), an important Persian geographic manuscript providing historical and cultural insights into various regions, including those where Jewish-Persians lived.
11) Pari:
Pari. Although not specifically mentioned, similar sounding words in the text ('par') highlight spellings and transliterations in Jewish-Persian scripts, contributing to understanding linguistic nuances.
12) Moon:
Moon. Related to the term 'mah' (month). This term is used in dating events or documents in the Jewish-Persian timeline, showing the lunar calendar's influence in Persian regions.
13) Arabic letter:
Arabic letter. The text discusses the significance of Persian manuscripts written in Arabic script and their oldest known examples, crucial for understanding the script transition in Persian historical documents.
14) Afghanistan:
Afghanistan. The Kabul inscription from 1198, one of the oldest dated Jewish-Persian texts, was found here, offering insights into the historical Jewish presence and their administrative practices in the region.
15) Possession:
Possession. Referenced through terms like 'mylk' in legal documents, indicating ownership or property. Understanding such terms sheds light on property laws and societal norms in Jewish-Persian culture.
16) Sanskrit:
Although primarily focusing on Persian texts, the study of Jewish-Persian documents often intersects with other languages of the region such as Sanskrit, particularly in understanding loanwords and cultural exchanges.
17) Delight (Delighting, Delighted):
Delight. Found in terms like 'imrwn' (wish, desire), this indicates how personal emotions were documented in Jewish-Persian legal and literary texts, reflecting social and personal values of the time.
18) Kerala:
The Quilon copperplate inscription from Kerala, containing Jewish-Persian signatures, highlights Jewish presence and their interactions with other communities in South India during the 9th century.
19) Farman:
Derived from Persian 'farman' (mandate, order). This term's appearance in Jewish-Persian texts provides clues to understanding administrative commands and social organization.
20) Syria (Syrian):
Mentioned in the context of the Syrian Christian Church, highlighting the diverse religious interactions and historical ties between Jewish-Persians and other communities in regions like Kerala.
21) Kantan:
Kandan. Meaning 'to dig' or 'to remove'. Appears in legal documents indicating physical actions taken in disputes or transactions, crucial for interpreting the actions described in these texts.
22) Natan:
Referenced through Elkan Nathan Adler's work, which discusses Jewish travels and trade routes, contributing to the understanding of Jewish-Persian economic and cultural exchanges.
23) Future:
The text aims to provide photos of manuscripts for future research, highlighting the ongoing efforts to preserve and study Jewish-Persian heritage using contemporary methods.
24) Egypt:
Mentioned as 'Mysr'. Jewish-Persian documents referencing Egypt provide insights into the historical ties and migrations between Persian Jewish communities and those in Egypt.
25) China:
The text mentions merchants traveling to China, illustrating the extensive trade networks and cultural exchanges involving Jewish-Persian communities in medieval times.
26) India:
Jewish merchants passed through Ahwaz on their way to India, indicating historical trade routes and interactions between Jewish communities in Persian regions and the Indian subcontinent.
27) Plato:
Plato. Quoted indirectly, the text cites Richard Reitzenstein discussing the courage to err, reflecting on scholarly approaches to interpreting complex historical texts such as those in Jewish-Persian studies.
28) Ashta (Asta, Astan, Ashtan):
Astan. Appears in commentary passages, linked to Persian words for 'assignment' or 'decree', crucial for understanding the legal terminology in Jewish-Persian documents.
29) Pearl:
The term 'dwr' (pearl) is part of the lexicon in legal documents, indicating valuable items listed in inventories or property disputes, showcasing the economic aspects of Jewish-Persian life.
30) Money:
Money. Such as 'dyn'r' (dinar), used in legal and trade documents to denote currency, providing insights into the economic transactions and currency use in Jewish-Persian communities.
31) Heart:
Heart. Appear as 'dyl', often in a metaphorical sense reflecting personal feelings or states, showing how emotional expressions were incorporated into legal and personal writings.
32) Child (Children):
Child. Terms like 'br'dr' (brother) highlight familial relationships, crucial for interpreting genealogical information and social structures in Jewish-Persian communities.
33) Tamil:
Main text of Quilon copperplate was in Tamil, with Jewish-Persian signatures. This illustrates the multilingual environment and the interaction of Jewish-Persians with Tamil-speaking communities.
34) Sound:
The importance of procuring a photo of the original text is emphasized for its 'sound' tool for future work, highlighting the significance of authenticity and preservation in historical research.
35) Cutan:
Sudan. Appears metaphorically as 'sw'dn' (to go, to accomplish). This reveals the use of common verbs and actions in describing events or instructions in Jewish-Persian legal texts.
36) Maha (Maha°):
Maha. Appears in historical and administrative contexts, often linked with the word 'mayan' or 'mahan', indicating familial or group affiliations in Jewish-Persian genealogical records.
37) Jama:
Jama. Meaning 'cup or vessel', shows cultural and daily life aspects in Jewish-Persian texts, reflecting material culture and the significance of common items in legal records.
38) Tree:
Tree. Mentioned in Persian plurals like 'drklyh' (trees), indicating how natural elements were documented, possibly in land ownership or property descriptions in Jewish-Persian legal documents.
39) Milk:
Milk. Appearing as 'mylk' (property), it is essential in understanding ownership and economic terms, reflecting on the assets and wealth management of Jewish-Persian communities.
40) Book:
Book. References to texts like Commentary on Josua and other manuscripts underscore the literary contributions and scholarly endeavors to understand Jewish-Persian history through their preserved writings.