Creator Bio
Yoḥanan ha-Kohen be-Rabbi Yehoshua
Early to Mid-7th Century
Almost nothing is known about the life of the liturgical poet Yoḥanan ha-Kohen be-Rabbi Yehoshua. Recent discoveries in the Cairo Geniza suggest that he lived before the Muslim conquest in the seventh century and was active in Palestine. Three of his longest piyyutim–a kerovah (a composition adorning the Amidah) for Shabbat, a kerovah for Yom Kippur, and an ‘avodah for Yom Kippur–have been preserved in manuscripts with the Greek and Roman Jewish liturgical rites.
Content by Yoḥanan ha-Kohen be-Rabbi Yehoshua
Primary Source
Primary Source
Merciful are You
Merciful are You, and we look forward to Your mercy.
When we come to beseech You, we speak words of supplication.
For the sake of the one [Abraham] who approached…