Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Jewish

11th Century

Spain
(Europe)

Shelomo ibn Gabirol

Timeline (1021? - 1058)

Poems by Shelomo ibn Gabirol
Books

Shelomo ibn Gabirol (or Solomon ibn Gabirol) lived during the Jewish "Golden Age" in Spain, a time when Spain was under Muslim rule. He was born in Malaga and lived most of his life in Saragossa. He was an impoverished orphan who survived with the support of a Jewish courtier, who encouraged him in his poetry.

His major philosophical work known in Christian Europe during the Middle Ages was entitled Fons Vitae (The Fountain of Life). Ironically, for centuries this was thought to be the work of a Muslim philosopher since it was lost in Europe but eventually translated into European languages from an Arabic source. It was only in the nineteenth century that the true author was clearly identified as ibn Gabirol.

Ibn Gabirol's great poetical work was A Kingly Crown, a collection of verses that exhibit his talents as mystic poet and philosopher. He was clearly a Kabbalist as several of his poems make reference to the Sefer Yezira (The Book of Creation, an important work in the Kabbalistic tradition). Other elements of his poetry show the powerful influence of Sufism that was so strong throughout Spain and much of the Muslim Mediterranean at the time.

Poems by Shelomo ibn Gabirol

	Before I was, Thy mercy came to me,
	Come to me at dawn, my beloved, and go with me,
	I look for you early,
	Lord of the World
	"Rise and open the door that is shut,
	Thou art One
	Thou art the Supreme Light
	Thou Livest
	Who can do as Thy deeds

Recommended Books

	The Heart and the Fountain: An Anthology of Jewish Mystical Experiences, by Joseph Dan Amazon.com
	Music of a Distant Drum: Classical Arabic, Persian, Turkish & Hebrew Poems, Translated by Bernard Lewis Amazon.com
	The Penguin Book of Hebrew Verse, Edited by T. Carmi Amazon.com
	Poetry for the Spirit: Poems of Universal Wisdom and Beauty, Edited by Alan Jacobs Amazon.com

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Shelomo ibn Gabirol

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World