Benjamin ben Ḥiyya

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BENJAMIN BEN ḤIYYA

BENJAMIN BEN ḤIYYA (Jehiel ; 11th–12th century), liturgical poet. Benjamin lived in Germany during the First Crusade and was among the refugees from Neuss, Bacharach, and Speyer. The horrors of the Crusade constitute the theme of his poetry. According to a 13th-century commentary, his three-line seliḥah beginning "Berit Kerutah" refers to the claim made by two monks to have brought back from the Holy Sepulcher a document in which the extermination of the Jews is urged. It is probable that other piyyutim which bear the name Benjamin are attributable to him.

bibliography:

Zunz, Lit Poesie, 158; Zunz, Poesie, 139, 166, 197; Landshuth, Ammudei, 52; Davidson, Oẓar 2 (1929), 77, no. 1717.

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