Avodah: an anthology of ancient poetry for Yom Kippur

401 Pages·2005·1.73 MB·English

by  Michael D. Swartz

avodah
The Penn State Library of Jewish Literature
µ
An Anthology of Ancient Poetry
for
Yom Kippur
Edited and Translated by
Michael D. Swartz & Joseph Yahalom
thepennsylvaniastateuniversitypress
universitypark,pennsylvania
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Avodah: ancient poems for Yom Kippur /
edited by Michael D. Swartz ans Joseph Yahalom.
p cm. – (Penn State library of Jewish literature)
Includes bibliographicaaal rederences and index.
ISBN o‒271‒02357‒0 (alk. paper)
1. Avodah piyyutim – Translations into English.
2. Yom Kippur – Liturgy – Texts.
3. Judaism – Liturgy – Texts.
I. Swartz, Micjael D. II. Yahalom, Joseph. III. Series.
BM670.A73S83 2005
296.4'52 – de22
2005002648
Copyright © 2005 The Pennsylvania State University
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
Published by The Pennsylvania State University Press,
University Park, PA 16802‒1003
The Pennsylvania State University Press is a member
of the Association of American University Presses.
It is the policy of The Pennsylvania State University
Press to use acid-free paper. This book is printed on
Nature's Natural, containing 50% post-consumer waste
and meets the minimum requirements of American
National Standard for Information Sciences—
Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials,
ansi z39.48‒1992.
contents
preface ix
introduction 1
1. Atah Barata 43
2. Shiv=at Yamim 53
3. Atah Konanta =Olam Me-Rosh 69
4. Az be->En Kol 95
5. Azkir Gevurot Elohah 221
6.Atah Konanta =Olam be-Rov Hµesed 291
7. Emet Mah Nehedar 343
8. En Lanu Kohen Gadol 349
conclusion 367
bibliography 373
glossary 381
source index 383
subject index 389

In memory of Aaron Mirsky
dxiy df xne` ied ?aal aehae dgnyay dcear `id efi`
(` `i oikxr ilaa)

preface
this volume is the result of our mutual interest in the Avodah
piyyutim and our conviction that these compositions are significant not
only for the history of Hebrew literature but also for the history of
Judaism in late antiquity. In 1996, Joseph Yahalom published the anony-
mous piyyut Az be-6En Kol, an edition of a previously unknown, mon-
umental Avodah composition with an introduction on the history and
significance of the genre. During this time, Michael Swartz had begun
work on a study of ideas of sacrifice in post-biblical Judaism in which
the Avodah piyyutim would play a pivotal role. When we learned of our
common research interests, we decided to collaborate on an anthology
and translation of early Avodah piyyutim. We decided on a format that
would allow readers to understand the intricate network of allusions,
biblical phrases, and expressions that characterize this genre. We also
decided that the Hebrew texts of the piyyutim should be placed on fac-
ing pages with the English translations and that new texts of the
piyyutim would be prepared.
We then set about finding a publisher that would be willing to take
on the challenge of making this complex volume a reality. We were very
fortunate to find enthusiastic advocates of this project at Penn State
University Press. Peter Potter, editor-in-chief of the Press, was eager to
show us how it could be done and has shepherded the volume to pro-
duction with intelligence, grace, and extraordinary patience. The editors
of the Penn State Library of Jewish Literature, Professors Baruch
Halperin and Aminadav Dikman, have also been supportive of this book
from the beginning. Special credit also goes to Keith Monley, who as
copyeditor contributed immensely by saving us from countless errors
and awkward turns of phrase, charging us to be consistent in our dis-
cussions and references, and helping us turn this into a readable book.
The book was also proofread by M. Novick and Y. Septimus, two Yale
University graduate students. Dr. Raphael Posner in Jerusalem, working
with Jennifer Norton at Penn State Press, undertook the task of type-
setting the Hebrew and English texts and likewise contributed consid-
erably to its accuracy and design. Professors Dick Davis of Ohio State