Contributed by: Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (translation), Yehudah ben Shmuel haLevi, Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
An interpretive translation of Yehudah haLevi’s shabbat song, “Yom Shabbaton.” . . .
Contributed by: Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Aharon N. Varady (translation), Unknown, the Mesorah (TaNaKh), the Mesorah (Masoretic layer 'J'), the Mesorah (Masoretic kernel 'E')
The prayers invoking the memory of the Aqeidat Yitsḥaq (Genesis 22:1-19) in the morning preparatory prayers in the liturgical custom of the Sefaradim. . . .
Contributed by: Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Aharon N. Varady (translation), Unknown, the Mesorah (TaNaKh), the Mesorah (Masoretic layer 'J'), the Mesorah (Masoretic kernel 'E')
The prayers invoking the memory of the Aqeidat Yitsḥaq (Genesis 22:1-19) in the morning preparatory prayers in the liturgical custom of Ashkenaz. . . .
Contributed by: Hai Ben Sherira Gaon, Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
The Shimmush Tehillim is a medieval work providing prescriptive theurgical associations for Psalms and verses from Psalms. It has been historically attributed to Rav Hai Gaon (939-1038 CE) but any definitive statement of authorship is lacking. The suggestion that portions of the Shimush Tehillim were authored during the late Geonic period in Iraq isn’t implausible. We also know that Hai Gaon was knowledgeable of Hekhalot writings that should at least be considered part of the same thought world as the Shimmush Tehillim. Writings found in the Shimush Tehillim have been found in manuscripts dating from the 12th century. This digital transcription of Shimush Tehillim derives from Elias Klein Békéscsaba’s 1936 compilation. This edition should not be considered a critical text, as earlier editions certainly exist. Not all of the Psalms are identified as having a particular theurgical use. . . .
Contributed by: David Asher (translation), Saadiah ben Yosef Gaon, Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
A seliḥah for the Fast of Gedalyah, attributed to Rav Saadia Gaon. . . .
Contributed by: Unknown, Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
The full text of the alphabetic mesostic piyyut, Hayom, according to the Italian nusaḥ. . . .
Contributed by: Unknown, Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Anonymous (translation)
“Aḥeinu” is the final prayer in a set of supplications recited on Mondays and Thursdays as the Torah scroll is being prepared to be returned to the Aron. The prayer is first found with variations in wording in the surviving manuscripts of the Seder Rav Amram Gaon (ca. 9th c.). . . .
Contributed by: Jacob Chatinover (translation), Unknown, Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
A prayer for unveiling a tombstone, according to the custom of the Jews of Pressburg. . . .
Contributed by: David Asher (translation), Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
The order of seliḥot for the day after Rosh haShanah, which is Tsom Gedalyah – the fast of Gedalyah. . . .
Contributed by: Stephen Belsky, Elyaqim haPayyetan, Ḳaraite Jews of America, Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Anonymous (translation)
This piyyut is signed “Elyaqim Ḥazaq.” Alas, we do not know who this Elyaqim was or even whether he was a rabbinic or Karaite Jew. The piyyut has been preserved for us in the Karaite cycle (Vilna printing press, 1852, Vol. IV, p. 135.) and there are several other piyyutim signed with his name. . . .
Contributed by: the Masorti Movement in Israel, Unknown, Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
A pizmon in the nusaḥ hasepharadim recited at Seliḥot during the monh of Elul and Yom Kippur. . . .
Contributed by: David de Sola Pool, Unknown, Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
An alphabetic acrostic pizmon for seliḥot and Yom Kippur with an alphabetic acrostic English translation. . . .
Contributed by: David Asher (translation), Unknown, Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
A penitential piyyut for the fast of the 17th of Tammuz. . . .
Contributed by: Unknown, Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
The “angels on all sides” formula included with the Bedtime Shema service in many contemporary siddurim. . . .
Contributed by: Unknown, Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
The origin story of Lilith as told in the Alphabet of ben Sira. . . .
Contributed by: Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (translation), Unknown, Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
The piyyut, El Adon, in Hebrew with an interpretive “praying translation” by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalom, z”l. . . .
Contributed by: David de Aaron de Sola (translation), Unknown, Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
This translation of “Adonai boker e’erokh lekha” by Rabbi David Aaron de Sola of a piyyut by an unknown paytan was first published in his Ancient Melodies of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews (1857). . . .
Contributed by: Johann Stephan Rittangel (Latin translation), Elazar ben Killir, Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (translation)
The piyyut, Omets G’vurotekha by Elazar ha-Qalir, in its Latin translation by Johann Stephan Rittangel. . . .
Contributed by: Simeon Singer (translation), Unknown, Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
An alphabetical acrostic piyyut celebrating the victory of Esther and Mordekhai over the forces of Haman. . . .
Contributed by: Johann Stephan Rittangel (Latin translation), Unknown, Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (translation)
The piyyut, Dayenu, in its Latin translation by Johann Stephan Rittangel. . . .