Piyyut (related to the Greek ancestor of the English word poetry) is the Hebrew and Aramaic poetry that was composed to praise G‑d, often included in the prayer service.

Piyyutim often include snippets of verses from across Tanach as well as Midrash. At times, they can help us understand or even reconstruct midrashim that have been lost to history.

Common Elements of Piyyutim

While piyyutim are sometimes presented in the standard prayer books as blocks of text, they are actually highly structured and may contain some, all, or none of the following elements:

  • Rhyme: Like standard English poetry, some piyyutim rhyme. Now, Ashkenazim and Sephardim pronounce Hebrew differently, so sometimes a piyyut that was composed to rhyme for a Sepharadi does not sound quite right when pronounced by an Ashkenazi.
  • Acrostics: Taking a cue from the biblical books of Psalms, Lamentations, and Proverbs, some piyyutim are arranged in alphabetical order, each line beginning with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The acrostics are sometimes also used to spell out the name of the composer and convey other subtle messages.
  • Repeated refrains: Some piyyutim are built around refrains, which are repeated after each line.

Paytanim: The Composers

For over a thousand years, paytanim have composed piyyutim for various occasions. While some have been immortalized in the daily or annual prayer cycle, others were used just once or twice. Some of the most famous paytanim (and there are many more!) include:

  • Rabbi Elazar Hakalir: Traditionally identified as a sage from the Talmudic era, much about Elazar is a mystery. However, he is known for his prolific output of piyyutim, many of which are recited to this day, particularly among Ashkenazim. His poetry is punctuated by innovative use of words (some of which he seems to have invented), obscure Midrashic references, and brilliant creativity.
  • Yannai: One of the greatest—and earliest—composers of piyyut, he pioneered elements such as rhyme and signing his name in acrostic form. Recently, a trove of his writing was discovered in the Cairo Genizah, including piyyutim for every week of the three-year Torah-reading cycle once favored in some communities.
  • Saadia Gaon: Editor of the earliest siddurim, Rabbi Saadia composed many piyyutim and even wrote dictionaries and style guides for other composers, blazing the path for the explosion of Sephardic piyyut composition.
  • Shlomo ibn Gabirol: A great poet, philosopher, and scientist whose knowledge extended to many fields. He lived for less than 40 years in Muslim 11th-century Spain.
  • Yehuda Halevi: Also from 11th-century Spain, Rabbi Yehuda Halevi was a world traveler who famously wrote of his love for Jerusalem, including in his poems for 9 Av.
  • Rabbeinu Gershom: Referred to as the “Light of the Exile,” Rabbeinu Gershom was the founding father of Ashkenazi rabbinic scholarship. Many of his poems lamenting the exile reflect his own bitter suffering at the hands of Christians.
  • Shlomo Alkabetz: A member of the cadre of Sephardic kabbalists of Renaissance-era Safed, he gifted us with one of the most beloved piyyutim: Lecha Dodi, which anchors the Friday night service.