What Is “Akdamut?” | Rabbi Stewart Weiss | Beit Midrash

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Shavuot

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Just prior to the Torah reading on Shavuot, in Ashkenazic practice, the beautiful piyut Akdamut is read. It consists of 90 lines in Aramaic, each line ending in "ta," or Tet-Aleph, the last & first letters of the Alef-Bet. This alludes to the continuity of the Torah; as soon as we finish studying we immediately start again; apropos for Shavuot & the giving of the Torah. In majestic & flowery language & a unique melody, the poem sings the praises of the Torah, the blueprint of Creation; of Hashem, & of the exclusive holiness of the Jewish People. It predicts the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the ingathering of the exiles & the splendor of Gan Eden. By tradition, it was written by Rabbi Meir, the chazan of the city of Worms & Rashi’s teacher. Rav Meir’s son was murdered in the Crusades of 1096, & Rav Meir himself was killed after defending Judaism in a forced debate with the city’s priests.

Ironically, Akdamut was not read in Worms itself, as it would be too painful a reminder of Rav Meir’s martyrdom.

Shavuot