PIYYUT

Piyyut: translation

(pl.Piyyutim)

Liturgicalhymnsof the Jewish tradition. Originally written to enhance prayers, they eventually became detached as those prayers became more and more the province of the professionalhazan(cantor) by the sixth century. The classicalpiyyutflourished in Palestine from the sixth to 11th centuries, characterized by isosyllabic, non-rhyming texts based on the Talmud and Midrash. Some authorities, notably Maimonides, protested their introduction into the liturgy. The earliest notatedpiyyutimdate from c. 1100. Another branch ofpiyytimflourished in Spain from the 10th to 14th centuries, heavily influenced by the dominant Arabic culture. Here poets turned to Biblical sources and adopted rhymed and eventually strophic poetry. Somepiyyutimarecontrafactaof popular Arabic songs. In general, the melodies aremetric, except those with strictly Biblical texts, in contrast to the classical {}piyyutim, which are believed to have beenchantedin the manner of prayers.

Piyyutimmay be sung by one or more soloists, by a chorus, or in some combination with thecongregationcontributing brief responses such as "Amen" orHalleluya. Traditionally, only men sing, but in modern Western communities women may also perform.

See alsoLekha Dodi; Pizmon.