Shiroth Ve’thishbachoth [Diwan]

(SHABAZI, SHALEM OF YEMEN)

Yemen

19th Century

Hebrew and Judeo-Arabic manuscript in square Yemenite script, partially vocalized. Black ink on thick paper. Title page within attrictive decorative geometric border wrought with red, green and yellow inks

Contains 79 poems and hymns by Shalem Shabazi (17th century); considered Yemen’s greatest Jewish poet. His style, although based on kabbalah and mysticism is comparably simple, making it popular with the masses. The Introduction in thismanuscript quotes the Chemdath Hayamim, praising Shabazi’s poetry as spiritually elevating. Regarded as a miracle worker, his tomb became a shrine for both Jews and Muslems seeking relief of sickness and misery