Literary text: T-S NS 277.174

Description

This is an ahavah poem composed by Mevorakh ben Se‘adya (early 12th century), for recitation during the synagogue service inside the blessing “who blesses his people Israel with love [ahavah],” immediately preceding the Shema‘ in the morning service. Marked by the repetition of words, this strophic poem is written in a folk style popular among Jews and Arabs during this period. Here, drawing on Sufi traditions, the poet evokes the pool as the source of divine blessing from which blessing flows to the Jewish people. The “masters” of the pool here are the Jewish people. This poem has also been interpreted as having been meant to celebrate a wedding. (Information from Posen Library)