“Lord of the War, Expel the Descendants of the Maidservant”

This article reviews Jewish attitudes toward Islam and Muslims in piyyutim— Jewish holy poems—composed in various spaces and localities by Jewish communities under Islamic rule, from the seventh century to the present. It points to the common characteristics of these poems: emphasizing Judaism’s supremacy over Islam and contempt for Muslims; highlighting the suffering of Jews under Islamic rule; and prayers for revenge on the Muslims, including the extermination of them all (or of non-Jews as a whole). These characteristics stand in contrast to chronicles written by Jews under Islamic rule, which refer to periods of peace and refer to “Kings of Grace”. The conclusion is that these poets—even though influenced by the realities of life during distinct periods— do not necessarily reflect social relations between Jews and Muslims or the political status of Jews, but rather Jewish concepts of redemption. In addition, it is suggested that in certain cases, the piyyutim served as a tool for maintaining social distance between Jews and Muslims. The ways in which these poets influenced the attitudes of Jews toward Muslims is yet to be studied.