Creator Bio
Joseph Ibn Abītūr
ca. 940-after 1024
Joseph ben Isaac Ibn Abïtûr, sometimes known as Ibn Shatnash, was a prominent Spanish poet active during the period of the great Jewish courtier Hasday Ibn Shaprût (ca. 915-ca. 970). Unlike Ibn Shaprût and his circle, Ibn Abïtûr was apparently more loyal to eastern modes of writing and thinking than to the emerging Andalusi traditions. Abraham ibn Dâ’ûd (ca. 1110-ca. 1180) recounted that Ibn Abïtûr interpreted the entire Babylonian Talmud in Arabic for the Muslim ruler. Ibn Dâ’ûd further wrote that, following a leadership dispute in Spain, Ibn Abïtûr was placed under a ban of excommunication and traveled to the East, where he sought to enlist some support. Ibn Abïtûr was a prolific poet; more than four hundred of his poems survive.
Content by Joseph Ibn Abītūr
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Cry, my brethren
Cry, my brethren, and mourn for Zion and its many people,like the mourning for Hadadrimon or Josiah son of Amon.Cry, O dainty soft people, who now walk barefoot and tread on thorns,who draw water for…
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Let Aaron kindle it
Let Aaron kindle it,and count seven lamps, opposite the ark of the covenant.Oil of the first pressing and not of the last— In front of the Lord, as a memorial.If [the priests], who pour oil on their…
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Those who say father, son, and spirit
Those who say: Father and Son and Spirit, the third
Those who gather on Sunday and also observe Friday
Those who create a form of clay to worship
Those who are gathered to replace dignity by…
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Responsum: On Levirate Marriage
Question: We have heard that a sister-in-law who falls before an apostate is not permitted to [re-]marry unless he [i.e., her brother-in-law] performs ḥalitsah for her, as he remains sanctified [i.e…