David Ben Hassin

Who was David Ben Hassin?

Rabbi David Ben Hassin, Arabic David ibn Hasin, in French sources David Hassine was a Moroccan Jewish poet. He is considered to be one of the greatest Jewish Moroccan poets. and one of the best known figures of Jewish liturgic poetry and his piyyutim were spread around the Sephardic world. He travelled to various communities in Morocco and also to Gibraltar, where his piyyutim were well received.

He is the author of Tehila le David, a collection of liturgic poems and elegies which have inspired many Moroccan singers, and of Mekoman chel zebahim, a versification of the slaughter rituals practiced in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. Some of his piyyut include his name in acrostic. Moses Edrehi records that he saw a manuscript of this work by Ben Hasin, "The Song of David," which was sent from Meknes to the leaders of the Moroccan Jewish community in London for publication.

He was also the author of several Bible commentaries, which unfortunately have not survived the times.