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38* Summaries

manuscripts. Thus, the primary contribution of this study is a methodological
one. The model proposed herein will have ramifications for future research,
especially concerning the establishment of criteria for identifying Genizah texts.

Autograph Instructions by Maimonides
regarding Aid to the Needy
and to Functionaries

Amir Ashur

The Interdisciplinary Center for the Broader Application of Genizah
Research, University of Haifa
Department of Hebrew Culture, Tel Aviv University
Dozens of lists of contributions to the poor were deposited in the Cairo Genizah,
but the list published in this article is unique — it is the only list found so far
written by Maimonides’ himself. It represents an order given by Maimonides
to Mahfuz, the beadle of the synagogue, to distribute bread to a list of named

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individuals. From the names of the poor and the needy mentioned in this
list we can assume it was written around 1181y1184. We might assume that
Maimonides acted as the Head of the Jews during this period, even if he was
not bearing this official title at the time.