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An ahava piyyut for Shabbat Vayera, recited in the old Nusaḥ Polin (Eastern Ashkenazi) rite, written (according to Davidson) by R. Shmuel bar Avraham haLevi. Shmuel bar Avraham haLevi (1165-1216, according to Graetz) was a poet and scholar of the ibn Ḥasdai family of Barcelona, and the father of the noted Maimonidean translator Avraham bar Shmuel ibn Ḥasdai. This piyyuṭ takes God’s fateful instruction to Abraham — “Take, please, your son, your only one, whom you love,” and, in a shocking bit of poetic ḥutzpah, reframes it a request that God takes back Israel!
| Source (Hebrew) | Translation (English) |
|---|---|
שָׁׄנְנוּ לְשׁוֹנָם בְּנֵי אוֹנָם וְאֶת־אוֹנָם לֹא הֵשַֽׁבְתָּ זֶה כַּמֶּה עֲלֵיהֶם מֵ־ עֲרָבוֹת מֵ־ אָז רָכַֽבְתָּ וּבְיָד טֶֽבַח כְּשֶׂה לָטֶֽבַח בְּלִי רֶֽוַח בֶּן עָזַֽבְתָּ וְנִלְוָה חָם גַּם עַל־גַּֽחַם וְהוּא בְּלִי נִלְחָם וְאַתָּה לֹא רַֽבְתָּ אַחֲרֵי אַֽהַב כְּרִשְׁפֵּי לַֽהַב בִּי וְאוֹהַב צוּר כָּתַֽבְתָּ יָהּ רָם וְגֵאֶה הַקְרִֽיבָה אֵֽ־ לֶם רָחוֹק אֵ־ לָיו אָמַֽרְתָּ׃ וּבְכֵן קַח־נָ֠א אֶת־בִּנְךָ֨ אֶת־יְחִֽידְךָ֤ אֲשֶׁר־אָהַ֙בְתָּ֙׃ (בראשית כב:ב) |
Sharpened are the tongues of children of Onam,[1] A descendant of Seȝir, referring to Christians. See Genesis 36:23. The first of many descendants of Seȝir, Ȝesav, and Naḥor (representing the Christians) and Yishmaȝel and Qtura (representing the Muslims) — to be mentioned in this piyyuṭ. and You have not overturned their power How long has it been since You have ridden on clouds upon them? And by the hand of Ṭevaḥ,[2] A child of Naḥor, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 22:24. like a lamb to slaughter, without relief You have left the son! And Ḥam[3] The second son of Noaḥ, and the ancestor of the Egyptians and Canaanites. Referring to Muslims. came with, along with Gaḥam,[4] A child of Naḥor, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 22:24. without being fought, and You did not strive! After love like fiery flames, in me, “I love,”[5] Find Malachi 1:2 o Rock, You wrote. Yah, high and proud, bring near the silent distant one[6] Israel. A reference to the obscure musical instructions of Psalm 56:1, yonat elem reḥoqim, literally translated as “silent distant dove.” to whom You said! Thus: Take, please, Your son, Your only one, whom You love. (Genesis 22:2) |
מַׄלְכוּת אוֹמָר כְּיַֽיִן חָמַר מַר לִי מַר וָאֵרָעֵל וּבְגַב אֶשָּׂא סִבְלוֹת מַשָּׂא נְשִׂיאֵי מַשָּׂא בֶּן־יִשְׁמָעֵאל זֶה חוֹמֵס וְזֶה רוֹמֵס וְזֶה מוֹאֵס וְזֶה גּוֹעֵל חָשַׁב יַעְלָם כִּי עַד־עוֹלָם אֶהְיֶה נִכְלָם וְדַל אֵל גּוֹעֵל וּכְאִישׁ יַעֲבֹד חִנָּם עָבֹד יוֹם יוֹם עַד־אֲבֹד כֹּחוֹ פּוֹעֵל עַל־כֵּן תִּמְנַע פֶּה לֹא יִמְנַע מִנָּד וְנָע קָרָא לוֹ מוֹעֵל יָהּ הָעִֽירָה וְנֵס הַגְבִּֽירָה כַּיוֹם סִיסְרָא בִּימֵי יָעֵל וּקְחָה גוֹי מִ־ יַּד הָאֲרָמִּי קְרַב כַּאֲשֶׁר מִ־ יּוֹם קָרַֽבְתָּ׃ וּבְכֵן קַח־נָ֠א אֶת־בִּנְךָ֨ אֶת־יְחִֽידְךָ֤ אֲשֶׁר־אָהַ֙בְתָּ֙׃ (בראשית כב:ב) |
Monarchy of Omar,[7] A descendant of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:11. Interestingly enough, as a descendant of Ȝesav the name Omar refers to Christian rulers, not Muslim ones, in the language of the piyyuṭ! like soured wine, is bitter to me, bitter and nauseating. And on my back I bear the heavy burdens of the princes of Massa son of Ishmael[8] Referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 25:14. This one abuses, and this one tramples, and this one disgusts, and this one loathes. Yaȝlam[9] A son of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:14 thought that forever I would be destroyed and destitute, loathed by the Deity. And like a man serving for free, serve every day until his strength to act is lost. Thus, Timnaȝ[10] A clan of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:40. here will not stop calling the wandering exile a fraudster. Yah, rouse and strengthen the banner, as on Sisera’s day in the days of Yaȝel.[11] Judges 4:1-24 And take the nation from the Aramean’s hand, bringing what you brought on that day: Thus: Take, please, Your son, Your only one, whom You love. (Genesis 22:2) |
וִׄיטוּר וּשְׁפוֹ וַהֲדַר וּצְפוֹ צָפוּ צָפֹה וּסְבָבֽוּנִי וְיָרַשׁ יָרֹשׁ נְסוּכָה מֵרֹאשׁ וְהִשְׁקֽוּנִי רֹאשׁ וַיְעַנּֽוּנִי וּבֶן עַלְוָה עִמָּם נִלְוָה בְּנֵי קֵדָר וַ־ יִלָּחֲמֽוּנִי זֶה בִּי יִכְפֹּר וְזֶה לִי יַחְפֹּר בּוֹר וּכְצִפּוֹר צוֹד צָדֽוּנִי פְּעָמַי נָעִים וְאוֹר לִי נָעִים לִי מַרְשִׁיעִים זוּ שַׁדּֽוּנִי אֵֽלֶּה בְּשִׁגָּיוֹן עֲוֺן גִּלְיוֹן וְאֵֽלֶּה בְּהֶגְיוֹן שָׁוְא קִנְאֽוּנִי וּבְפַחֲזוּתָם וּבַחֲזוּתָם וּבְעַלִּיזוּתָם יַכְעִיסֽוּנִי יָהּ בָּם רִיבָה וְיָד הַרְחִֽיבָה כִּי מֵרֹאשׁ בַּ־ צָּר הִרְחַֽבְתָּ׃ וּבְכֵן קַח־נָ֠א אֶת־בִּנְךָ֨ אֶת־יְחִֽידְךָ֤ אֲשֶׁר־אָהַ֙בְתָּ֙׃ (בראשית כב:ב) |
Upon me Yeṭur[12] A son of YishmaȜe, referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 25:14. and Shfo[13] A descendant of Seȝir, referring to Christians. See Genesis 36:23. and Hadar[14] A king of Edom, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:39. and Tsfo[15] A son of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:15. spied, yes, they spied and surrounded me, and claimed the inheritance of the first-selected, and made me drink poison and afflicted me. And the son of Ȝalva,[16] A clan of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:40. with whom was associated the children of Qedar[17] A son of YishmaȜel, referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 25:13. who fought me. They would make me apostatize and dig a pit for me and, like a bird, entrap me in traps. My steps stray, my pleasant light[18] Meaning the Torah, which was coöpted by Christianity. these evildoers stole from me!, These in their errant Sinful Codex,[19] Hebrew: Ȝavon Gilyon. A pun on “Evangelion” found in the Gemara as well (Shabbat 116). In some manuscripts this line is read as עֵין רַעֲיוֹן “a scheming eye,” which is almost certainly a purposeful censorship. and these in their worthless ponderances envied me. And in their deceits and their visions and their carousals they anger me. Yah, strive with them, and widen Your hand, for of old in dire straits You widened! Thus: Take, please, Your son, Your only one, whom You love. (Genesis 22:2) |
אַׄלּוּף נַֽחַת וּמָנַֽחַת מֵאֵין נַֽחַת כַּאֲרִי פוֹרֵק וּמִבְשָׂם אִתָּם יַךְ עִם־גַּעְתָּם יֹאמַר גַּעְתָּם קֵץ וְאֵין פּוֹרֵק זֶה מוֹרֵט וְזֶה שׂוֹרֵט וְזֶה פּוֹרֵט וְשֵׁן חוֹרֵק וְזֶה יוֹרֶה חֵץ לְבָבִי מוֹחֵץ וְזֶה לוֹחֵץ וְאֶֽבֶן זוֹרֵק וּבְנֵי זִמְרָן יוֹעֲצִים בְּחוֹבְרָן וְיִתְרָן וּכְרָן זֶה לָזֶה שׁוֹרֵק הֵקִֽילוּ מַשְׂאֵת כָּבֵד וּשְׂאֵת וַיְעַקְּרוּ אֶת מַטַּע שׂוֹרֵק וּבְפִיהֵם כִּי בְּאִישׁוֹן חׇשְׁכִּי יִהְיֶה דַּרְכִּי וּבִטְחוֹנִי רֵק אָן נוֹרָאוֹת יַד הַקְּנָאוֹת לְשֵׁם וּלְאוֹת יָם הֶחֱרַֽבְתָּ׃ וּבְכֵן קַח־נָ֠א אֶת־בִּנְךָ֨ אֶת־יְחִֽידְךָ֤ אֲשֶׁר־אָהַ֙בְתָּ֙׃ (בראשית כב:ב) |
Ever unresting, like a predatory lion, the clan of Naḥat[20] A clan of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. See Genesis 36:17 and Manaḥat[21] A descendant of Seȝir, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:23. and Mibsam[22] A son of YishmaȜel, referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 25:13. with them strikes with Gaȝtam,[23] A descendant of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:16 saying “Let’s strike them down at last, without rescue!” This one tears out hair, and this one bruises, and this one strips bare and gnashes teeth. And this one shoots an arrow, crushing my heart, and this one stresses and throws stones. And the children of Zimran[24] A son of Qtura, referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 25:2 gathering in their cohorts, and Yitran and Khran[25] A descendant of Seȝir, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:26 whistle to each other. They deride the heavy burden,[26] Meaning the prophecies against the nations oppressing Israel, Malachi 1 in particular. and uproot the noble vine.[27] Israel. Find Jeremiah 2:21. And in their mouths, like my eyeball’s pupil, my path and my faith would be empty. Where are the awesome acts, the zealous hand? For a name and sign You split the sea! Thus: Take, please, Your son, Your only one, whom You love. (Genesis 22:2) |
לָׄמָּה תִישָׁן וּבְנֵי דִישָׁן וְנִינֵי יׇקְשָׁן רָדוּ רָדֹה נַפְשִׁי נָקְטָה מֵעֹל וּמוֹטָה כִּי בִּי נָטָה אֶל־אֵל יָדוֹ בֶּאֱמֹר אוֹיְבִי אַךְ אֲנִי נָבִיא וְרֽוּחַ אֵל בִּי וּדְבַר סוֹדוֹ וּבֶן הָאָמָה קָם עַל־בָּמָה וּבְיָד רָמָה הֵבִיא עֵדוֹ וְיָהּ אֵל מְקַנֵּא בַּאֲשֶׁר שָׂנֵא כִּי שָׁם יַעֲנֶה עָלָיו אֵידוֹ לָאוֹ יִלְאוּ מֵתִים כִּי יִגְעוּ וְעֵינָיו יִרְאוּ עֲדֵי כִידוֹ וּבוֹשָׁה עָדָה הִיא לֹא עֵדָה עַל־רִיק כַּדָּהּ מִלֵּב בָּדוֹ וְאֶת־הָאַהֲבָה עוֹרְרָה כִּי בָּא מוֹעֵד וְצָבָא אֲשֶׁר קָצַֽבְתָּ׃ וּבְכֵן קַח־נָ֠א אֶת־בִּנְךָ֨ אֶת־יְחִֽידְךָ֤ אֲשֶׁר־אָהַ֙בְתָּ֙׃ (בראשית כב:ב) |
Lo! Why do you sleep? The children of Dishan[28] A descendant of Seȝir, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:26 and granchildren of Yokshan[29] A son of Qtura, referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 25:2 pursue, yea, pursue! My soul is disgusted[30] Find Job 10:1 from the yoke and harness, for by me he has raised his arm against the Deity.[31] Find Job 15:25 As my enemy says “I am too a prophet, and the Deity’s spirit and secret word is in me!” And that handmaid’s son[32] Yishmaȝel, referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 21:10 rises up on his shrine[33] Possibly referring to the Kaȝaba? and with his high hand brings his testimony.[34] Possibly referring to the Qur’an? And Yah, zealous Deity, upon the hateful, let his calamity answer upon him! They will tire, tire, until the resurrection, and their eyes will see his ultimate ruin.[35] Find Job 21:20 And Ȝada[36] A wife of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:2. will be ashamed, no longer testifying of her empty vessel, from a decietful heart. And arouse love, for the time and term that You allocated has come! Thus: Take, please, Your son, Your only one, whom You love. (Genesis 22:2) |
Notes
| 1 | A descendant of Seȝir, referring to Christians. See Genesis 36:23. The first of many descendants of Seȝir, Ȝesav, and Naḥor (representing the Christians) and Yishmaȝel and Qtura (representing the Muslims) — to be mentioned in this piyyuṭ. |
|---|---|
| 2 | A child of Naḥor, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 22:24. |
| 3 | The second son of Noaḥ, and the ancestor of the Egyptians and Canaanites. Referring to Muslims. |
| 4 | A child of Naḥor, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 22:24. |
| 5 | Find Malachi 1:2 |
| 6 | Israel. A reference to the obscure musical instructions of Psalm 56:1, yonat elem reḥoqim, literally translated as “silent distant dove.” |
| 7 | A descendant of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:11. Interestingly enough, as a descendant of Ȝesav the name Omar refers to Christian rulers, not Muslim ones, in the language of the piyyuṭ! |
| 8 | Referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 25:14. |
| 9 | A son of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:14 |
| 10 | A clan of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:40. |
| 11 | Judges 4:1-24 |
| 12 | A son of YishmaȜe, referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 25:14. |
| 13 | A descendant of Seȝir, referring to Christians. See Genesis 36:23. |
| 14 | A king of Edom, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:39. |
| 15 | A son of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:15. |
| 16 | A clan of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:40. |
| 17 | A son of YishmaȜel, referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 25:13. |
| 18 | Meaning the Torah, which was coöpted by Christianity. |
| 19 | Hebrew: Ȝavon Gilyon. A pun on “Evangelion” found in the Gemara as well (Shabbat 116). In some manuscripts this line is read as עֵין רַעֲיוֹן “a scheming eye,” which is almost certainly a purposeful censorship. |
| 20 | A clan of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. See Genesis 36:17 |
| 21 | A descendant of Seȝir, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:23. |
| 22 | A son of YishmaȜel, referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 25:13. |
| 23 | A descendant of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:16 |
| 24 | A son of Qtura, referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 25:2 |
| 25 | A descendant of Seȝir, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:26 |
| 26 | Meaning the prophecies against the nations oppressing Israel, Malachi 1 in particular. |
| 27 | Israel. Find Jeremiah 2:21. |
| 28 | A descendant of Seȝir, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:26 |
| 29 | A son of Qtura, referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 25:2 |
| 30 | Find Job 10:1 |
| 31 | Find Job 15:25 |
| 32 | Yishmaȝel, referring to Muslims. Find Genesis 21:10 |
| 33 | Possibly referring to the Kaȝaba? |
| 34 | Possibly referring to the Qur’an? |
| 35 | Find Job 21:20 |
| 36 | A wife of Ȝesav, referring to Christians. Find Genesis 36:2. |
“שָׁנְנוּ לְשׁוֹנָם | Shan’nu L’shonam — an ahavah piyyuṭ for Shabbat Vayera, by Rabbi Shmuel bar Avraham haLevi” is shared through the Open Siddur Project under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International copyleft license.
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