14 Facts About Shalom Shabazi

Shalom Shabazi was the son of Yosef ben Avigad, of the family of Mashta, commonly known as Abba Sholem Shabazi or Saalem al-Shabazi.

Shalom Shabazi was a Jewish rabbi and poet who lived in 17th century Yemen, often referred to as the arch-poet of Yemen.

Shalom Shabazi claimed descent from Zerah, the son of Judah.

At the death of his father, Yosef Mashta, Shalom Shabazi moved to the small town of Shabaz, near the city of Ta'izz.

Shalom Shabazi died c 1720 and was buried in Ta'izz, at the foot of Jabal Sabir.

Shalom Shabazi's father, Yosef ben Abijad ben Khalfun, was a rabbi and a poet.

Shalom Shabazi wrote a commentary on the Torah called Hemdath Yamim.

Shalom Shabazi's leadership was instrumental in helping the Jews of Yemen survive some of the worst persecution in its history.

The Diwan of Mori Shalom Shabazi alludes to the Decree of the Headgear in 1667.

Shalom Shabazi's Diwan has become an essential part of Yemenite Jewry's spiritual and cultural lives.

The founder of these genres of poetic visions of redemption is Yosef ben Yisrael in whose footsteps followed many poets, including Shalom Shabazi who is said to have refined it.

Mori Shalom Shabazi is said to have written nearly 15,000 liturgical poems on nearly all topics in Judaism, of which only about 850 have survived the ravages of persecution, time and the lack of printing presses in Yemen.

Shalom Shabazi wrote his Diwan in Judeo-Arabic, Hebrew and Aramaic.

Mori Shalom Shabazi is said to have composed several poems concerning the Exile of Mawza, which he witnessed in his day.