ABRAHAM MALAKI:

By: S. Kahn

A poet who flourished at Carpentras, near Avignon, about the end of thethirteenth century. In his poem, "The Flaming Sword," Abraham Bedersi recognizes his poetic talent. Zunz ("Literaturgesch." p. 500) mentions a liturgical poet of the name of Abraham of Carpentras. He identifies him with Abraham ben Isaac, surnamed Don Abraham of Montpellier, one of the partizans of the anti-Maimonist Abba Mari of Lunel, and thinks he is the author of the introduction to Ibn Gabirol's "Azharot," which were recited on the first and second nights of Shabu'ot (Pentecost) in the communities of the ancient county of Venaissin, and are still in the Sephardic liturgy. Gross, however, with more reason, attributes this poem to Abraham Malaki, who is called by some Abraham the Old, and by others simply Abraham ("Gallia Judaica," p. 607). The unfortunate poet Isaac ben Abraham Gorni, who was at Carpentras at the same time, speaks of Abraham Malaki in the highest terms. "Abraham," he said, "will intervene in favor of the sinners of Sodom [Carpentras], where there are not ten righteous."

S. K.