Creator Bio
Jacob bar Dunash bar Akiva
10th or 11th Century
Almost nothing is known for certain about the poet Jacob bar Dunash bar Akiva. It appears that he was active in North Africa, as the name Dunash was popular among Jews there. Several of his piyyutim survive in the Cairo Geniza and were first published in the mid-twentieth century. He composed several poems for Sabbath and holiday liturgies, and for Hanukkah and the Ninth of Av. Although there are similarities to the works of Eleazar be-Rabbi Qillir, Jacob’s poems are far simpler.
Content by Jacob bar Dunash bar Akiva
Primary Source
The lofty king—He sits in His hidden place
And so, let me mention the deeds of the living God, and the dying man.
The lofty king. He sits in His hidden place of enthronement.
From there He looks out upon all people and their thoughts,
He…