‘Weinberger deserves our deepest gratitude for a book that is an unprecedented English introduction to the world of piyyut . . . this book is a convincing endeavour to show an English-reading audience the great value of Hebrew liturgical poetry for Jewish religion and culture.’ - W. J. van Bekkum, Bulletin of Judaeo-Greek Studies ‘He deserves our deepest gratitude ... Read morefor producing the first introduction to piyyut in English and including many fragments of poems that have never previously been anthologized . . . for the English-reading audience, this book will show the great value of Hebrew liturgical poetry for the study of Jewish religion and culture.’ - W. J. van Bekkum, Journal of Jewish Studies ‘Will serve well Judaic scholars of other areas who wish to understand the history, function, and language of piyyut better; and students of piyyut and medieval Hebrew literature whose resources in English have been sorely lacking . . . it is the lone introduction to piyyut for an English-speaking audience which offers a chronological and geographical survey of piyyut; and it brings to light many obscure poets, especially those of the Balkan region, England, and Karaite community. But it will also contribute to the appreciation and understanding of the literary riches of medieval Jewry in all their complexity and variety. Instructors of Judaica and their students alike are now provided with a good English guide to the fascinating and complicated world of piyyut.’ - Debra Reed Blank, Journal of Semitic Studies ‘It is a blessing to have in English such a felicitous treatment of the fruits of modern Israeli scholarship on piyyut or Jewish hymnography incorporated into the author's own prodigious research into Greek, Balkan, and Byzantine hymnography. The work is the best introduction in English to the whole subject, indeed it ranges more widely than any comparable wok in Hebrew. It is bound to encourage scholars of English-speaking universities to mount courses in this heretofore neglected area of Hebrew poetry. The lack of a good textbook can no longer serve as an excuse.’ - Reuven Kimelman ‘A pivotal reference book . . . The volume's coverage is admirably broad and dense; its approach and presentation are apt and felicitous. Nothing comparable has been available in English . . . we owe Weinberger a big debt of gratitude.’ - Ephraim Nissan, Shofar Show Less