A Song That Ought to Be Sung Every Day

Born in the town of Kirchhain, in Hesse, Germany, Elḥanan Kirkhhain wandered extensively in his youth, visiting Poland, Holland, and various German towns. In Frankfurt, he married the daughter of Zvi Hirsch Koidanover, author of the bilingual (Hebrew–Yiddish) moral work Kav ha-yosher (The Just Measure). Kirkhhain, who apparently later returned to his hometown, also composed a Yiddish morality book, often referring to his father-in-law’s text. However, Kirkhhain’s work is very different. While Kav ha-yosher endeavored to rouse readers to repentance by instilling fear and dread, Kirkhhain focused on joy and optimism, entitling his work Simḥat ha-nefesh (Joy of the Soul; 1705/6) and addressing his readers with tenderness. The text includes many stories that draw on a range of sources, all retold in Kirkhhain’s unique voice and with an emphasis on their moral lessons. This work was extremely popular; between 1707 and 1906, twenty-seven editions were printed, and rabbis recommended it as important reading material. A second part, a collection of ritual rules, was published in 1727, but was printed only once.