Akdamut

Akdamut Milin is a Jewish liturgical poem (piyyut) recited on Shavuot morning in many Ashkenazi communities. The name of the work translates to “Introduction to the Words,” reflecting its function as a preface to the Torah reading. The text is composed in Aramaic and is traditionally treated as a medieval piyyut.

Authorship is attributed in classical sources to Rabbeinu Meir of Worms, a prominent German Jewish scholar active in the 11th or 12th century. Some scholars debate the exact authorship and dating, but the attribution to Meir of Worms has become conventional in many traditions. The poem is often printed with other Shavuot liturgical materials and exists in multiple manuscript and printed editions with minor textual variations.

Content and purpose: Akdamut presents a grand, cosmic panorama that extols God as Creator and Master of the universe and emphasizes the uniqueness and sanctity of the Torah. It frames Shavuot—the festival of the giving of the Torah at Sinai—as a moment for the Jewish people to contemplate revelation and covenant. The poem serves as an introduction to the day’s Torah reading, linking the celebration of the Torah with awe before its divine source.

Performance: In practice, Akdamut is often chanted or sung, sometimes to well-known melodies or varied regional tunes. It remains a recognizable feature of Shavuot liturgy in many communities and has been set to music by numerous composers, contributing to its enduring presence in Jewish ceremonial life.