The Book of Tahkemoni: Jewish Tales from Medieval Spain

Description

Widely regarded as the crowning jewel of Heberew maqama literature (rhymed prose interspersed with verse) this book introduces a somewhat roguish protagonist, Hever the Kenite, often disguised as a teacher, beggar, adventurer, debater, or magician. Whether preaching, spinning history or fantasy, or working a crowd, Hever the Kenite is ever the consummate storyteller and wordsmith enlightening or astounding his listeners. The author displays great scope, moving from prayers to tales of battlefield carnage, from philosophic reflection to droll satire targeting the pompous, the ignorant and the mean. David Simha Segal's translation captures the richness and wit of Judah Alharizi, an important Spanish medieval poet, and Segal's explications and analyses identify numerous allusions and illuminate the text's subtleties. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Abbreviations and Conventions Used in the Text Translator's Preface The Book of Tahkemoni Introduction Gate 1: Whence this Work Sprung and by Whom it was Sung Gate 2: Brimstone and Wrath against the Worldly Path Gate 3: The Mystery and History of the Hebrew Song of Spain Gate 4: A Descant on the Flea and the Ant Gate 5: Twelve Poets Sound the Months' Round Gate 6: Of One Too Swiftly Sped to the Marriage Bed Gate 7: Of Battle Lords and Dripping Swords Gate 8: In Praise of a Letter of Praise Read Two Ways Gate 9: Poetic Invention: One and Thirty in Contention Gate 10: Of Rustic Propriety and Winged Piety Gate 11: Of Verbal Show: Using and Refusing the Letter O Gate 12: Of the Ferocity of the Wars of Stint and Generosity Gate 13: Wherein Shall a Man be Whole? A Debate of Body, Mind, and Soul Gate 14: Of a Prayer Beyond Price Hewn from the Mountain of Spice Gate 15: A Prayer Sent where Grace Reposes: A Prayer to Godly Moses Gate 16: Airs of Song's Seven Heirs Gate 17: Rabbanite versus Karaite Gate 18: The Rise and Reign of Monarchs of Song in Hebrew Spain Gate 19: Of a Dispute of Poets Seven: Which Virtue is Dearest in the Eyes of Heaven Gate 20: Of Seven Maidens and their Mendacity Gate 21: Of a Sumptuous Feast and a Bumpkin Fleeced Gate 22: Of Fate's Rack and the Zodiac Gate 23: Of Hever the Kenite's Wretched Hour and Sudden Rise to Wealth and Power Gate 24: Of a Jolly Cantor and Folly Instanter Gate 25: Of a Hid Place and a Champion of the Chase Gate 26: Travels: Kudos and Cavils Gate 27: Of the Cup's Joys and Other Alloys Gate 28: Praise and Pity for David's City Gate 29: Beggars' Arts versus Frozen Hearts Gate 30: Of a Quack and his Bogus Pack Gate 31: Of a Mocking Knight and a Wormwood Cup of Fright Gate 32: Needlepoint: Point-Counterpoint Gate 33: Homily, Hymn, and Homonym Gate 34: Of a Host Bombastic and a Feast Fantastic Gate 35: Of the Grave of Ezra the Blest and Poems Celeste Gate 36: Challenge and Reply: Sweet Words Fly Gate 37: In the Clasp of a Deadly Asp Gate 38: Of Men and Ship in the Storm's Grip Gate 39: The Debate of Day and Night: Whose the Greater Might and Delight Gate 40: The Battle of Sword and Pen for Mastery of Men Gate 41: Badinage: Man and Woman Rage Gate 42: Generosity or Greed—Which the Better Creed or Deed? Gate 43: The Sea Roars its Worth against Proud Earth Gate 44: Life's Laws: Proverbs and Saws Gate 45: Hid Learning: Saws of Men of Discerning Gate 46: Of This and That Community Sung with Impunity Gate 47: Nation Contends with Nation for Rank and Station Gate 48: The Heart's Grief and Relief Gate 49: In Praise of the Fruits of the Garden Trees Gate 50: Varia and Nefaria Analyses Analysis of Introduction Gate 1 Gate 2 Gate 3 Gate 4 Gate 5 Gate 6 Gate 7 Gate 8 Gate 9 Gate 10 Gate 11 Gate 12 Gate 13 Gate 14 Gate 15 Gate 16 Gate 17 Gate 18 Gate 19 Gate 20 Gate 21 Gate 22 Gate 23 Gate 24 Gate 25 Gate 26 Gate 27 Gate 28 Gate 29 Gate 30 Gate 31 Gate 32 Gate 33 Gate 34 Gate 35 Gate 36 Gate 37 Gate 38 Gate 39 Gate 40 Gate 41 Gate 42 Gate 43 Gate 44 Gate 45 Gate 46 Gate 47 Gate 48 Gate 49 Gate 50 Afterword Bibliography Index of Biblical References Index of Persons and Peoples Index of Places General Index