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
This Karaite lament for the Seventh of Av notes that the Temple has been taken by the Kedarites, likely referring to Muslims.
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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.We are fulfilling your request; we…