- Source: Shene Zetim
"Shene Zetim" (Hebrew: שני זיתים) is a piyyut (liturgical poem) by Rabbi Solomon Ibn Gabirol of the Me'orah type, intended to be recited as part of the blessing of Yotzer ha-me'orot. The piyyut is customary recited on the Sabbath of Chanukkah in both Western and Eastern Ashkenazic rites. Despite Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Gabirol being a Sephardic poet, this piyyut has been preserved only in Ashkenazic communities.
The piyyut focuses on the golden menorah, especially the menorah mentioned in the vision of the prophet Zechariah (chapter 4), which appears in the haftarah for the sabbath of Chanukkah. The content of the piyyut revolves around the plea for redemption, and for the return of the priesthood and the kingdom of the House of David. The priesthood and kingship are referred to as "Shene Zetim'" (two olive trees) based on the interpretation of the two olive trees in the prophecy of Zechariah. The piyyut uses expressions and motifs taken from the same prophecy, including the menorah, the anointing oil, and more. There is no explicit mention of Chanukkah in the piyyut, and it is unclear whether the piyyut was originally composed for this purpose or for another occasion, such as Parshat Beha'alotcha, which also includes the same haftarah.
Structure
The metre of the piyyut is accentual-syllabic verse. This structure is unique to Spanish piyyutim and is not found in secular songs. Each line of the piyyut consists of three stanzas: two with three syllables each and the third with six syllables.
The first two stanzas of each line rhyme, while the last stanza concludes with a common rhyme for all the lines in the same section. The last line in each section has a unique refrain, different from the rest of the section.
Rabbi Solomon Ibn Gabirol developed this structure and used it in many piyyutim. Many subsequent poets adopted this structure and imitated it.
Both in the opening lines and in the first lines of each section, the author's signature "Shelomo" is signed.
Customs of reciting the piyyut
In the early days of Ashkenazic piyyut, "Me'orot" were not recited, and the early Ashkenazic poets did not write such piyyutim in their compositions (similar to the "Ahavah," "Mi Khamokha," and "Ge'ulah" piyyutim). In later generations, influenced by the Sephardic piyyut, Ashkenazi Jews incorporated several Spanish "Me'orot" into their prayers, including this one.
It is customary in Western and Eastern Ashkenazi communities to recite this piyyut on Shabbat Chanukah, particularly on the first Shabbat. In Mainz, it is also recited on the second Shabbat of Chanukah, and in Posen it was recited on Shabbat Behaalotecha.
In the Romaniote tradition, generally only piyyutim like "Yotzer," "Ofan," "Zulat," and "Mi Khamokha" were recited, not "Me'orah" piyyutim. For this reason, in the Romaniote printed prayer book, the piyyut "Shene Zetim" is presented as the "Ofan" for Shabbat Chanukah and not as "Me'orah."
It is customary in Western Ashkenazic communities to sing this piyyut with a melody, unlike many other piyyutim that are recited without singing. Moshe Rosenwasser hypothesizes that the need to fit the words to the melody led to changes in the text and the omission of certain lines from the piyyut.
Further reading
The piyyut with comprehensive commentary and alternative versions within Moshe Yehuda Rosenwasser, Ha-Shir veha-Shevach: Piyyutim for Shabbatot, Purim, and Brit Milah according to the customs of Ashkenazic communities (explicit and explained with their sources in Halacha and Aggadah) (Jerusalem: Mechon Moreshet Ashkenaz, 5775), pp. 150-157.
Gabriel Wasserman, Liturgical poems of Ḥanukka from Europe (Part 1 in English and Part 2 in Hebrew), 2016 (doctorate). The chapter on Shene Zetim appears on pages 292–338 in Part 1, and the piyyut itself with commentary and textual changes appears on pages 243–257 in Part 2.
External links
Recordings of Shene Zetim from various communities on the National Library of Israel website.