The Book of Tahkemoni

Jewish Tales from Medieval Spain
Judah Alharizi
Translated from Hebrew, explicated, and annotated by David Simha Segal

'This new edition and translation is a formidable work of scholarship. In addition to a readable version of a complicated text, Segal offers the reader invaluable editorial help in negotiating these exotic tales; his extensive set of analyses of Alharizi's introduction and the fifty "Gates" (or sections) could constitute a separate monograph . . . A meticulous and accomplished work that will reward the general reader as well as scholars.'
M. Butovsky, Choice

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'A formidable work of scholarship . . . A meticulous and accomplished work that will reward the general reader as well as scholars'
M. Butovsky, Choice

'A text of major importance . . . this volume belongs in every serious library.'
Stephen D. Benin, Religious Studies Review

The Book of Tahkemoni (The Book of Wisdom or the Heroic) is widely regarded as the crowning jewel of Hebrew maqama literature, or rhymed prose interspersed with verse. In its fifty unlinked episodes we repeatedly encounter the somewhat roguish protagonist, Hever the Kenite, often disguised and assuming many and varied roles-teacher, beggar, adventurer, debater, magician, and so on.

Whether preaching, spinning history or fantasy, or working a crowd, Hever the Kenite is ever a consummate story-teller and wordsmith enlightening or astounding his listeners. The author, generally considered to be the last major Hebrew poet of Spain, 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.

The whole is conveyed in a sensuous interweave of rhyme and rhythm, of literal and figurative speech, and copious biblical citations manipulated to serve unusual ends. David Simha Segal's translation captures the drama, wit, and satire of the original in a contemporary English that displays vigour and a sense of fun. Detailed annotations, printed on the same page as the text, identify the numerous allusions.

Analyses of each chapter bring the reader more deeply into the text, illuminating plays on words, adroit uses of the frame tale, adaptations of Arabic and Hebrew literary conventions, and other subtleties of the original.

A substantial Afterword sums up major features discussed in the analyses, especially the authorial game of hide-and-seek in the characters of the protagonist and the narrator.

About the translator

David Simha Segal is Emeritus Senior Lecturer in Medieval Hebrew Literature at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba. Author of many studies of the Hebrew belles-lettres of Spain and a published poet, he has also translated modern Hebrew novelists, essayists, poets, and short-story writers.

Publication details

Format	23.5 x 15.5 cm / 6” x 9”
Pages	732 pages
ISBN	978-1-874774-03-7 hardback - out of print 978-1-874774-98-3 paperback
Price	£21.95 / $32.95 paperback
Date of publication	30 August 2001 - out of print 7 August 2003 paperback

Abbreviations and Conventions Used in the Text
Translator's preface

The Book of Tahkemoni

Introduction

Gates

Whence This Work Sprung and by Whom It was Sung
Brimstone and Wrath Against the Worldly Path
The Mystery and History of the Hebrew Song of Spain
A Discant on the Flea and the Ant
Twelve Poets Sound the Months' Round
Of One too Swiftly Sped to the Marriage Bed
Of Battle Lords and Dripping Swords
In Praise of a Letter of Praise Read Two Ways
Poetic Invention: One And Thirty In Contention
Of Rustic Propriety and Winged Piety
Of Verbal Show-Using and Refusing the Letter O
Of the Ferocity of the Wars of Stinginess and Generosity
Wherein Shall a Man be Whole? A Debate of Body, Mind, and Soul
Of a Prayer beyond Price Hewn from the Mountain of Spice
A Prayer Sent where Grace Reposes: A Prayer to Godly Moses
Airs of Song's Seven Heirs
Rabbanite versus Karaite
The Rise and Reign of Monarchs of Song in Hebrew Spain
Of a Dispute of Poets Seven: Which Virtue is Dearest in the Eyes of Heaven
Of Seven Maidens and their Mendacity
Of a Sumptuous Feast and a Bumpkin Fleeced
Of Fate's Rack and the Zodiac
Of Hever the Kenite's Wretched Hour and Sudden Rise to Wealth and Power
Of A Jolly Cantor and Folly Instanter
Of a Hid Place and a Champion of the Chase
Travels: Kudos and Cavils
Of the Cup's Joys and Other Alloys
Praise and Pity for David's City
Beggars' Arts Versus Frozen Hearts
Of a Quack and His Bogus Pack
Of a Mocking Knight and a Wormwood Cup of Fright
Needlepoint: Point-Counterpoint
Homily, Hymn, and Homonym
Of a Host Bombastic and a Feast Fantastic
Of the Grave of Ezra the Blest and Poems Celeste
Challenge and Reply Sweet Words Fly
In the Clasp of a Deadly Asp
Of Men and Ship in the Storm's Grip
The Debate of Day and Night: Whose the Greater Might and Delight
The Battle of Sword and Pen for Mastery of Men
Badinage: Man and Woman Rage
Generosity or Greed-Which the Better Breed or Deed?
The Sea Roars its Worth against Proud Earth
Life's Laws: Proverbs and Saws
Hid Learning: Saws of Men of Discerning
Of This and That Community Sung with Impunity
Nation Contends With Nation for Rank And Station
The Heart's Grief and Relief
In Praise of the Fruits of the Garden Trees
Varia and Nefari

Analyses
Introduction
Gates 1-50

Afterword
Bibliography
Index of Biblical References
Index of Persons and Peoples
Index of Places
General Index

Reviews

'Wonderful'
Hillel Halkin, Commentary

'A text of major importance . . . this volume belongs in every serious library.'
Stephen D. Benin, Religious Studies Review

Prizes

Winner of the 2001-2002 National Jewish Book Award for Sephardic Studies

The Book of Tahkemoni

More info

About the translator

Publication details

Contents

Reviews

Prizes