When and by whom were the Piyutim of Channukah written?

Question

There are communities that recite special prayers on Shabbos Channukah they begin with אודך כי אנפת ותשוב. Do we know who wrote these and when?

Answer 1

The author of the yotzer "odecha ki anafta" was R. Yosef b. Shelomo of Carcasonne (11th century CE). His signature (יוסף בן שלמה) can be seen in the final line:

יחידך וידידך סלה פקדוך, בל נדמית שיגבוך לבדוך, משבי הדרירם והכל יודוך, קדוש

The meorah "shenei zeitim" was authored by R. Shelomo ibn Gabirol (11th century CE). (The name שלמה is spelled out as an acrostic of the four stanzas.)

And the zulat "ein tzur chelef" is by R. Shelomo HaBavli (10th century CE). His signature (שלמה הקטן בירבי יהודה חזק) appears in the final lines:

שמור לפי מילים הט הקשב קובלים טרוד נוף בהולים יחיל רוזני בעלים. יציאת יום הילולים וקרע דין הוללים חזות קרוא כמהללים מי כמוכה באלים

The above piyutim are recited in the Western Ashkenazi tradition. In addition, the Eastern Ashkenazi tradition adds the ofan "kevodo or yazriach" when it is not also rosh chodesh. As far as I can tell, the authorship of this piyut is unknown.

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For completeness' sake, the following piyutim are recited on the second shabbat of chanukah (in a year where that occurs):

In the Western Ashkenazi tradtion, the yotzer "odecha ki anitani" by R. Menachem b. Machir (11th century CE). (In Mainz they would also say the meorah "shenei zeitim", as on the first shabbat.)

In addition to the above, in the Eastern Ashkenazi tradition the following are also recited:

• the ofan "omtzo betofef", by a R. Avraham whose identity is unknown
• the meorah "asher yatzar or", by R. Ephraim of Regensburg (12th century CE)
• the zulat "ein moshia", also by R. Menachem b. Machir.