SOLOMON IBN ẒAḲBEL ():

By: Isidore Singer, Isaac Broydé

Spanish poet of the twelfth century; relative of Abu Omar Joseph ibn Sahl, who died in 1124. Solomon was the author of a satirical romance written in the form of the Arabic "Maḳamat" of Abu al-Ḳasim Mohammed al-Ḥarizi, which later were so ably imitated in Hebrew by Judah al-Ḥarizi in his renowned "Taḥkemoni." The hero of this romance, which, according to Schorr, who published it ("He-Ḥaluẓ," iii. 154), is entitled "Taḥkemoni," is named Asher ben Judah; in rimed prose, interspersed with small poems in absolutely strict rhythm, he relates his love adventures, which were marked by various disappointments and vicissitudes of fortune. This poetical production, from which Al-Ḥarizi may have borrowed both the title and the style, is remarkable for the elegance of its language and for its combination of profound thought and light banter. Solomon's poetical talent was highly praised by Judah al-Ḥarizi in his "Taḥkemoni" (ch. xx.).

S. I. Br.