Mordecai ben Avshalom (Russian: Мардахай бен Овшолум; Hebrew: מרדכי בן אבשלום; 1860 - 1925) was a Mountain Jew poet, abrek.[1][2][3] He produced poetry, and songs with themes that included brotherhood, equality, justice, love, peace, rebellion against the existing system.[1][3] His poetry called for social protest.[1][3] Mordecai ben Avshalom wrote his poems and songs in the Hebrew alphabet, in the Judeo-Tat and Azerbaijani languages.[4]
Rebel Poet Mordecai ben Avshalom | |
|---|---|
 Photo of Mordecai ben Avshalom in Israel. Circa 1895. | |
| Native name | Мардахай бен Овшолум |
| Born | 1860 Derbent, Dagestan Oblast, Russian Empire |
| Died | 1925 Derbent, Dagestan ASSR, USSR |
| Resting place | Derbent, The Jewish Cemetery |
| Nickname | Russian: Сибири |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Language | Judeo-Tat, Azerbaijani, Hebrew alphabet |
| Nationality | Russian Empire, USSR |
| Spouse | Nerguz |
| Children | 4, Mulaim, Khonum, Zulpo, Rachel |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Russian Empire |
| Years of service | 1904–1905 |
| Battles/wars | Russo-Japanese War |
| Awards |  |
Biography
editMordecai ben Avshalom was born in Derbent, Russian Empire, around 1860.[5][1][6] From a young age he wrote poems in which he called for peace and brotherhood.[7] He was one of the first poets whose work was distinguished by a social protest against the existing system.[1] His poems have not been preserved but were written down from the memory of the inhabitants of Derbent and kept alive by famous Mountain Jewish writers and poets of different generations.[4]
Mordecai ben Avshalom grew up to be a very tall and strong man: his height was more than 2 m.[4] He defended the interests of the working man before the arbitrariness of the rich.[7][8] He also took money and food from them by force and gave them to the synagogue for distribution to the poorest.[4] Repeatedly referred to the Siberian penal servitude. During his prison escapes, he was in the position of abrek. After the first stay in hard labor for the murder of a gendarme who tried to rape a lonely widow, he received the nickname "Siberia".[7][8]
In 1904, Mardachai ben Avshalom participated in the Russo-Japanese War, where he received the Cross of St. George for his bravery.[1][8]
In 1925, he died at the hands of an enemy who poisoned him during a festive event. [4][8]
Family
editThe descendants of Mardakhai Avshalom are numerous and they live in many countries.[9]
- Wife - Nerguz
- Daughters - Mulaim, Khonum, Zulpo, Rachel
- Mother - Purim
- Father - Avshalom
- Brothers - Mardecai, Yashagiyo, Irmiyo, Avshalom
- Sisters - Bizen, Batushvag, Shifra
- Grandpa - Shalum
Legacy
editSince 2012, the creative heritage of the classic of Mountain Jewish poetry of Mardakhai Avshalom has been studied in the literature lessons of the 8th grade of Kumykia secondary schools in Dagestan and Chechnya.[3][8]
Awards
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Shalum Shalumov. "The legendary Mardakhai Avshalom of Siberia (Siberian), 1860-1925", 2009. Publisher - "Mirvori"
- ^ Galina Musakhanova, "Tat literature, (Essay on history. 1917-1990), pp. 59-64. Makhachkala. Dagestan book publishing house, 1993
- ^ a b c d Asaf Mushailov -Song about Mordecai Avshalom of Siberia 2021. STMEGI.com
- ^ a b c d e Shalum Shalumov. "Poet-rebel Mardachai Avshalom of Siberia (Siberian), 1860-1925", p. 9. 2013.
- ^ Manashir Yakubov: "On the Music of the Mountain Jews": "Mardakhai Avshalom of Siberia is a symbol of the national poetic tradition." STMEGI.com
- ^ Hizgil Avshalumov, “Rebel Poet Mardakhai Avshalom of Siberia”, Vatan, No. 98-104, December 8, 1995 - January 5, 1996 Derbent. Dagestan, Russia
- ^ a b c Shalum Shalumov. “Returning to the origins, or you can’t hide an awl in a bag”, Sholumi Center, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f Shalum Shalumov. "The trampled truth has no statute of limitations.", Sholumi Center, 2023.
- ^ Shalum Shalumov, a nephew of Mordecai ben Avshalom
External links
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