Masterpieces of Hebew Literature: Selections from 2000 Years of Jewish Creativity

AHIMAAZ BEN PALTIEL: Introduction

The Chronicle oj Ahimaaz The Chronicle of Ahimaaz, written by Ahimaaz ben Paltiel (1017-1060), depicts the history of a family in Southern Italy and provides information about the social status of that Jewry. The author, born in Capua, traces his pedigree back two hundred years—very likely from notes and traditions that had been passed down through the generations. The chronicle-memoir, (1054) reveals how the Jews communicate with their coreligionists , travel freely, rise to high positions, honor visiting sages, and are influenced by the literary traditions of the surrounding cultures . The Chronicle sheds light on the early Jewish settlement of various towns in Southern Italy, now (with the exception of Naples) almost completely devoid of Jews. It also shows the tolerance to Jews in Italy, a country that throughout its long history was exceptional in its attitude toward Jews. Despite the tragedy of occasional upheavals and invasions, there is little in the Chronicle that indicates that the Jews were victims of continual oppression. In addition to its value as a historic and social document, the Chronicle of Ahimaaz—also called the Book of Genealogies by its author—contains many popular stories, beliefs and superstitions . Among the Jewish folkloristic elements mentioned are demons, the magic use of God's name, a dead man who prays, revivification of the dead, a cessation of the celestial cycle, and various bits of astrological lore. One folk motif recognizable from world literature is the metamorphosis of a man into a mule, 241 242 MASTERPIECES OF HEBREW LITERATURE which appears in the Golden Ass of Aupelius and, in modern times, in Pinocchio. The Chronicle also has the first recorded instance of the legend of the Wandering Jew. However, in line with the rather unreliable historiography of the day, the author draws no distinction between legend and history. The unifying element in Ahimaaz ben Paltiel's account is his excellence as a storyteller. He has psychological insight, a sense of humor, and the skill to build a narrative and bring it to a successful conclusion; indeed, the various anecdotes in his Chronicles are constructed along novelistic lines. Ahimaaz's work is written in rhymed prose, a style favored by Jewish writers under the Muslim orbit—but since it is composed of brief rhymed phrases and lines, a modern translation must choose to render the work in prose. A BOOK OF GENEALOGIES In the name of the Lord, we will begin and finish [our task]. My help [cometh] from the Lord. In the name of the Lord of Lords that doeth wonders I will write a book of genealogies. In the name of Him that dwelleth in the heavens of splendor, I will begin to tell the story, diligently to investigate, arrange and present a collection of the traditions of my forefathers, to unfold them in proper order, to explain them with notes, to trace without confusion the genealogy whose parts must be collected like stubble. With praise, I will glorify Him that dwelleth in heaven; that, in His grace and justice, safely guided my ancestors who came forth with the exiles that were spared in Jerusalem, and delivered them from destruction, children and elders, young and old, for the sake of His great mercy and the merit of the fathers of old. At all times they were protected by the God of heaven; shield and buckler has He even been to my forefathers, and so may He continue to be to their children to the last generation. Now, with great care, I will set down in order the traditions of my fathers, who were brought on a ship over the Pishon [Euphrates or Po], the first river of Eden, with the captives that Titus took from the Holy City, crowned with beauty. They came to Oria; they settled there and prospered through remarkable achievements; they grew in number and in strength and continued to thrive. Among their descendants there arose a man eminent in learning, a liturgical poet and scholar, master of the knowledge of God's law, distinguished for wisdom among his people. His name was Rabbi Amittai. And he had a number of amiable and worthy sons, intelligent and learned men . . . The first of them was R. Shephatiah, zealous in the pursuit of wisdom; the second, R. Hananeel, engaged in the study of the Law of God which Jekutiel [Moses] delivered; the third, Eleazar who was devoted to [the Law] given...