Proximity and Distance: Medieval Hebrew and Arabic Poetry (Etudes Sur Le Judaisme Medieval)

The first steps in Hebrew secular poetry took place around the turn of the ninth century, under the impact of contemporary Arabic poetry. This impact was so great that some researchers, incorrectly, define the Hebrew poetry as a school which is distinct from the Arabic school only by virtue of its Hebrew language. However, the right way to the essence of medieval Hebrew poetry is not only by revealing and describing its ties with Arabic poetry but also by determining the specific characteristics by which it stubbornly distinguished itself from its Arabic contemporaries. This innovative critical approach is the central feature of this book. Annotation The central feature of this book is an innovative critical approach, which understands medieval Hebrew poetry not only by revealing its ties with Arabic poetry but also by determining the specific characteristics by which it stubbornly distinguished itself from Arabic poetry