Shalom Shabazi
Encyclopedia
Rabbi
Shalom ben Yosef Shabbazi, also Abba
Shalem Shabbezi or Salim Elshibzi was one of the greatest Jewish poets who lived in 17th century Yemen
and now considered the 'Poet of Yemen'. Shabbazi was born in 1619 at Jewish Sharab
, close to Ta'izz
, and lived most of his life in Ta'izz from which he was expelled, along with most of the Yemenite Jews in 1679. He died in 1720. His father, Yosef ben Abijad bin Khalfun was also a Rabbi and a poet. Shabbazi's extant poetic diwan
, comprising some 550 poems, was published for the first time by the Ben-Zvi Institute in 1977. He wrote in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Judeo-Arabic. Shabbazi's other writing include a treatise on astrology and a cabbalistic commentary on the Torah
. Shabbazi's grave in Ta'izz is revered by Jews and Muslim
s alike. He is now considered by Academics as the 'Shakespeare of Yemen'.
He wrote a commentary on the Torah called Chamdoth Yomim. His leadership was instrumental in helping the Jews of Yemen survive some of the worst persecution in its history. Mori (Yemenites often call their spiritual leaders "Mori" meaning "my master" or "my teacher", rather than "rabbi" which resembles the Arabic for "my God") Shabazi wrote a kinah for recitation during the Ninth of Av recalling the terrible exile of Jews in his lifetime from all cities and towns in Yemen to an inhospitable desert called Moza, during the time the Jews were banished there a full 20% of their number perished. The Diwan of Mori Shabazi has become an essential part of Yemenite Jewry's spiritual and cultural lives. Mori Shabazi wrote nearly 1500 diwan on nearly all topics in Judaism, unfortunately only about 300 survived the ravages of persecution, time and the lack of a printing press in Yemen. He wrote his Diwan(poems/songs) in Arabic, Hebrew and Aramaic. Currently, the Israeli government and the Chief Rabbinate are trying to bring the remains of Rabbi Shabazi to Israel Many of his poems have elaborate detailed premonitions of returning to Israel, with his people.
(אם ננעלו) became a hit single sung by an Israeli singer Ofra Haza
. Other songs, such as As'alk (أسألك), were also performed by Ofra Haza as well as Zion Golan, Aharom Amram and Shoshana Damari. Another famous poem, "Et Dodim Kallah", was performed by Zohar Argov
. The Israeli metal band, Orphaned Land
sings one of his poems in their song Olat Ha'tamid. There is also a small street named after him in the Nachlaot
neighborhood of Jerusalem.
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Shalom ben Yosef Shabbazi, also Abba
Ab (Semitic)
Ab means "father" in most Semitic languages, sometimes extended to Abba or Aba.-Arabic:Ab , from a theoretical, abstract form ʼabawun is Arabic for "father"...
Shalem Shabbezi or Salim Elshibzi was one of the greatest Jewish poets who lived in 17th century Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
and now considered the 'Poet of Yemen'. Shabbazi was born in 1619 at Jewish Sharab
Jewish Sharab
Jewish Sharab is an ancient Jewish quarter in the city of Ta'izz, Ta'izz Governorate, Yemen established around 130 CE and dismantled around 1940, and was one of the most illustrious places of Jewish settlement in Yemen. Many distinguished Jewish personalities were born there, including R. Shalom...
, close to Ta'izz
Ta'izz
Ta'izz , or Taiz, is a city in the Yemeni Highlands, near the famous Mocha port on the Red Sea, lying at an elevation of about 1,400 metres above sea level. It is the capital of Ta'izz Governorate...
, and lived most of his life in Ta'izz from which he was expelled, along with most of the Yemenite Jews in 1679. He died in 1720. His father, Yosef ben Abijad bin Khalfun was also a Rabbi and a poet. Shabbazi's extant poetic diwan
Diwan (poetry)
-Etymology:The English usage of the phrase Diwan Poetry comes from the Arabic word diwan , which is loaned from Persian means designated a list or register. The Persian word derived from the Persian dibir meaning writer or scribe...
, comprising some 550 poems, was published for the first time by the Ben-Zvi Institute in 1977. He wrote in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Judeo-Arabic. Shabbazi's other writing include a treatise on astrology and a cabbalistic commentary on the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
. Shabbazi's grave in Ta'izz is revered by Jews and Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s alike. He is now considered by Academics as the 'Shakespeare of Yemen'.
He wrote a commentary on the Torah called Chamdoth Yomim. His leadership was instrumental in helping the Jews of Yemen survive some of the worst persecution in its history. Mori (Yemenites often call their spiritual leaders "Mori" meaning "my master" or "my teacher", rather than "rabbi" which resembles the Arabic for "my God") Shabazi wrote a kinah for recitation during the Ninth of Av recalling the terrible exile of Jews in his lifetime from all cities and towns in Yemen to an inhospitable desert called Moza, during the time the Jews were banished there a full 20% of their number perished. The Diwan of Mori Shabazi has become an essential part of Yemenite Jewry's spiritual and cultural lives. Mori Shabazi wrote nearly 1500 diwan on nearly all topics in Judaism, unfortunately only about 300 survived the ravages of persecution, time and the lack of a printing press in Yemen. He wrote his Diwan(poems/songs) in Arabic, Hebrew and Aramaic. Currently, the Israeli government and the Chief Rabbinate are trying to bring the remains of Rabbi Shabazi to Israel Many of his poems have elaborate detailed premonitions of returning to Israel, with his people.
Shabazi in Popular Culture
Shabazi's poem Im Nin'aluIm Nin'Alu
"Im Nin'alu" is a Hebrew poem by 17th-century Rabbi Shalom Shabazi that has been set to music and sung by Israeli singer Ofra Haza and others...
(אם ננעלו) became a hit single sung by an Israeli singer Ofra Haza
Ofra Haza
Ofra Haza was an Israeli singer of Yemeni origin, an actress and international recording artist....
. Other songs, such as As'alk (أسألك), were also performed by Ofra Haza as well as Zion Golan, Aharom Amram and Shoshana Damari. Another famous poem, "Et Dodim Kallah", was performed by Zohar Argov
Zohar Argov
Zohar Argov was a popular Israeli singer and a distinctive voice in the Mizrahi music scene.- Background :The most serious hurdle on the way to stardom was Argov's socioeconomic background. He was born in Rishon LeZion, and grew up in a poor family, the eldest of ten children...
. The Israeli metal band, Orphaned Land
Orphaned Land
Orphaned Land is an Israeli progressive metal band, formed in 1991, that combines Death/doom, Jewish and Arabic influences.- History :In 1992, the band changed its name from the original Resurrection to Orphaned Land....
sings one of his poems in their song Olat Ha'tamid. There is also a small street named after him in the Nachlaot
Nachlaot
Nachlaot is a cluster of neighborhoods in central Jerusalem, Israel known for its narrow, winding lanes, old-style housing, hidden courtyards and many small synagogues. Neighborhoods in Nachlaot include Mishkenot Yisrael, Ohel Moshe, Mazkeret Moshe, Zichron Yosef, Sukkat Shalom, Zichron Yaakov,...
neighborhood of Jerusalem.
External links
- Shabbazi's biography in Hebrew http://www.piyut.org.il/articles/300.html
- Shabbazi's piyyutPiyyutA piyyut or piyut is a Jewish liturgical poem, usually designated to be sung, chanted, or recited during religious services. Piyyutim have been written since Temple times...
"Adon hakol": http://www.piyut.org.il/chosen12/english/.index.html#t29