Fragment of a Judaeo-Arabic Treatise on Andalusi Hebrew Metrics (ʽilm al-ʽarūḍ)

Abstract

Treatises on Hebrew metrics (ʽilm al-ʽarūḍ) are scarce and almost all of those that are known to scholars at present postdate the classical period of Andalusi Hebrew poetry (tenth–twelfth century). The Cairo Genizah fragment T-S Ar. 31.232 concerns Andalusi Hebrew metrics. This fragment shows how its author did not conceptualize medieval Hebrew metrics using the categories employed in its study today, but worked with purer Islamic concepts. The single damaged folio is dedicated to the different forms that the mutaqārib metre can take. It must have been written in an Islamic environment between the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the golden age for this poetry in its original form. This paper includes an introduction to Arabic and Hebrew medieval metrics, the study, edition and translation of the fragment and at the end of the article, a glossary on the Arabic metrical terminology used in the fragment is provided.