Limmud Bay Area 2016

Begin your day with study, meditation and movement. Piyyutim are liturgical poems recited in Jewish prayer services and life cycle celebrations. For centuries piyyutim have been composed across the Jewish diaspora. In the Middle Ages Sephardic poets such as Judah Ha-Levi,  Shlomo Ibn Gabirol  and Avrahm ibn Ezra composed piyyutim that found their way into prayer books and services. Later, Ashkenazi poets composed piyyutim that have also found a place in prayer books. And today, piyyutim continue to be composed. Piyyutim fill the gaps between prayers of praise and supplication, and are sung to any number of melodies. This session will examine the general structure of piyyutim, concentrating on two or three classic Sephardic piyyutim, exploring the meaning and central themes of the texts. We will learn to sing them together. Finally, we will combine melody and movement for a total immersion in the piyyutim that unites melody, voice, breath and body.