Creator Bio
Menaḥem ben Michael
12th Century
Menaḥem ben Michael ben Joseph, a Byzantine Karaite scholar, was the author of several liturgical poems. He is likely the author of a poem titled “On Ritual Slaughter” that defends Karaite practices against Rabbanite criticism. Not much is known about Menaḥem’s life, although his name appears in later Karaite biblical commentaries.
Content by Menaḥem ben Michael
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Lyre and pipe have turned to tearful cries
Lyre and pipe have turned to tearful cries. Have they not turned to mourning?The joy of our drums and dance has ceased.Strings and lute, musical instruments, today have turned to “Woe!,”to scornful…
Primary Source
Responsum: Poem on Ritual Slaughter
This is the letter that our teacher Menaḥem the Karaite sent to ‘Aqilas the Proselyte by the hand of R. Se‘adya the Rabbanite, regarding the laws of ritual slaughter.
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