Rabbi Shalom Shabazi (1619-unknown)
Yemenite poet whose towering figure, illustrated in fables and legends, stands as an emblem for Yemenite Jews and Yemenite Jewish tradition. His many poems are part of the Yemenite canon. One of the best known is the wedding song Im Nin’alu (“Should Patrons’ Gates Be Locked”). The poem is written in hebrew and Judeo-Arabic, and reenforces the singers’ belief in God and his salvation. A modern version opened Ofra Haza’s hit album Yemenite Songs, which launched her international career.
