Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>The Introduction introduces the reader to the phenomenon of piyyuṭ (Jewish liturgical poetry) and to its marked emergence within the context of ancient Jewish synagogue liturgy. This emergence was part of the third pivotal period in ancient Judaism (each of which focuses on the ingathering of literature and growth of forms of interpretation). Three major cultural categories are introduced and explored for the three periods of biblical Israel, classical rabbinic traditions, and piyyuṭ. The key categories of these periods are: anthologies, citations (of texts and persons), cultural memory. The characteristics and unique qualities of each are discussion with many examples. This provides a further appreciation for the way piyyuṭ continued and developed in many novel ways. The literary focus on the Exodus cycle is introduced and its epic role considered. The introduction concludes with attention to the practice of recitations of Scripture in the synagogue on Sabbaths and Festivals and its great significance for public pedagogy through liturgy and the growth of a rabbinic/liturgical epic.</jats:p>