There is an extensive Judeo-Persian poetic religious literature, closely modeled on classical Persian poetry. The most famous poet was
Mowlānā Shāhin-i Shirāzi (14th century CE), who composed epic versifications of parts of the Bible, such as the
Musā-nāmah (an epic poem recounting the story of Moses); later poets composed lyric poetry in style of Persian mysticism. Much of this literature was collected around the beginning of the twentieth century by the ּּBukharan rabbi
Shimon Hakham, who founded a printing press in Israel.
Earliest Judeo-Persian writings The earliest evidence of Judeo-Persian writing dates back to the 8th century CE. These documents written in Hebrew script document the existence of Jewish communities writing in Judeo-Persian across historical Persia. Archaeologists working in the 20th century discovered Judeo-Persian writings in locations as far-spread as southern India, Xinjiang Province, Cairo, and present-day Iran and Afghanistan. They include court documents, trade documents, headstones, stone inscriptions, and works on religious matters.
Biblical epics ====
Mowlānā Shāhin-i Shirāzi==== The most famous Judeo-Persian poet is the 14th century Shahin-i Shirazi who composed two versified Biblical epics: the first based on the Pentateuch and the second centered on the Book of Esther and the Book of Ezra. In his writing, Shahin uses a language typical of his era’s
Classical Persian and does not employ the same level of Hebrew words as other Judeo-Persian writers.
Emrani Emrani was a 15th century Persian poet who like Shahin, wrote Persian in Hebrew script. Born in
Isfahan, he moved to
Kashan in his twenties and lived there until his death. The 10,000-verse
Fath-nameh adapts the Books of Joshua, Ruth, and Samuel 1 and 2. Like Shahin’s biblical epics, it displays a strong Shahnameh influence. His
Hanuka-nameh is a shorter (1,800 verses) versification of the Maccabees’ rebellion against the Greeks. This work, authored in 1524, relies heavily on the apocryphal
First Book of Maccabees. It was completed in 1536 and was likely Emrani’s final work. It is an ethical and didactic work that deals with broader ethical themes compared to his previous writings in this genre. •
Sheshom Dar (ששום דר): A poem read on the festival of
Shavuot detailing the commandments, based on the
Azharot literature •
Shirā-ye Hātāni, or
Shira, often beginning with the words "
Shodi hātān mobārak bād" (שדִי חתן מבארך באד): Verses sung at weddings and festive occasions. Originally composed for the groom during the
Shabbat Hatan (the shabbat following the wedding) • Aminā: •
In Praise of Moses In 1917, a "Society for the Promotion of the Hebrew Language" was established in Tehran alongside a Judeo-Persian and Hebrew printing press. This group also published a Judeo-Persian newspaper, ''Ha-Ge'ulah''. Two other Judeo-Persian newspapers were also published in
Bukhara and
Samarkand. ==Characteristics==