Adon Olam

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3 different settings by Adon Olam

Adon Olam ( Hebrew אֲדוֹן עוֹלָם , Lord of the World ) are the opening words of a hymn, which expresses the eternity and unity of God as well as the human trust in his providence . The Ashkenazi version has 10 verses, the Sephardic version 12, 15 or 16 verses. The author of the hymn is unknown. The authorship is ascribed to Solomon ibn Gabirol , but the text is probably much older and could go back to the times of the Babylonian Geonim . Prayer has appeared in the German rite since the 14th century and has spread over time in almost all parishes and rites. It was initially used at the beginning of the Shacharit service, but is often sung at the end of the Sabbath service and sometimes at the end of Kol Nidre . In addition to Lecha Dodi , Adon Olam is the Jewish prayer for which most melody versions exist. According to Rabbi Francis L. Cohen , Adon Olam can be sung to many different melodies, almost any melody. In the Ashkenazi region, the version that goes back to Eliezer Gerovitsch (1844–1924) is most widespread. Adon Olam's text has become popular around the world and has been translated many times, including by Israel Zangwill into English. In Morocco it is sung as a wedding song, but also by the bereaved on the deathbed of a deceased.

Adon Olam is mostly sung by the whole congregation; In the Ashkenazi tradition, however, it is sometimes performed as a soloist by the cantor on special festive occasions. The Italian baroque composer Salomone Rossi published an eight-part, double-choir setting by Adon Olam in 1623 .

Transcription and translation

Adon olam (master of the world) ascher (who) malach (ruled) bterem kol (before everything) jizir nivra (created) . Le'et n'asah (When by his will) bechefzo kol (everything came into being) , asai (then) melech (king) schemo (his name) nikra (was named) .
Ve (and) acharei (after) kichlot (will cease) ha kol (the universe) , levado jimloch nora (will he rule alone) . Ve hu haja (and He was) ve hu hoveh (and He is) , ve hu jijeh (and He will be) betifarah (in glory) .
Ve hu echad (And He is only) ve'einscheni (and no other is) lehamschil lo (to be compared to him) lehachbirah (to be added) . Beli reschit (without beginning) beli tachlit (without end) , ve lo ha os (and to him is the power) ve hamisrah (and the rule) .
Ve hu eli (And He is my God) ve chai (and it lives) goali (my Redeemer) , ve zur (and the rock) chevli (my share) be et zarah (in time of need) . Ve hu (And Er) nisi umanos li (is protection and refuge for me) , menat (who gives) kosi (the cup) bejom (on the day) ekra (I call) .
Bejado (in his hand) afkid (I recommend) ruchi (my mind) , be et ischan (then when I sleep) ve'airah (and wake up) . Ve im ruchi (and with my mind) geviati (my body) , Adonai (the Eternal) li (is for me) ve (and) lo (not) ira (I'm afraid) .

literature

Web link

Wikisource: The text of אדון עולם  - Sources and full texts (Hebrew)

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Jonathan L. Friedmann: Synagogue Song - An Introduction to Concepts, Theories and Customs , McFarland & Company, 2012, ISBN 978-0-7864-7061-7 , p. 141
  2. ↑ Jonathan L. Friedmann: Synagogue Song - An Introduction to Concepts, Theories and Customs , McFarland & Company, 2012, ISBN 978-0-7864-7061-7 , p. 141