Jehiel ben Asher

Jehiel ben Asher was a Jewish liturgical poet who flourished in Andalusia during the 14th and 15th centuries. His literary contributions include four liturgical poems, as well as a notable dirge that commemorated the persecution of Jews in Spain in 1391. This dirge, consisting of twenty-five strophes, stands as a testament to his poetic skill and emotional depth. Through his work, Jehiel ben Asher left an indelible mark on the literary landscape of his time.

In addition to his liturgical poems and dirge, Jehiel ben Asher authored a poetical work titled "Ma'aseh 'Ugah." This work was published in Constantinople around 1577, alongside "Iggeret Al Tehi Ka-Aboteka" by Profiat Duran. Furthermore, a manuscript containing one of Jehiel's poems, "Ha-Rewayah," was reportedly seen by Firkovich in the possession of a Karaite named Joseph Ḳimḥi. Although the details of his life remain sparse, Jehiel ben Asher's poetic legacy continues to be acknowledged and appreciated through his surviving works.