Faithful Retellings: The Literary Afterlives of Rabbi Amnon of Mainz

This paper examines two versions of the legend of Rabbi Amnon of Mainz and the composition of the Unetanneh Tokef liturgical poem: the 13th-century Hebrew text from R. Isaac of Vienna's Or Zarua and a 1602 Old Yiddish variant from the Mayse-Bukh collection. Through comparative analysis, I explore how each narratives employs distinct techniques to ensure the memorability of the poem and its composer. The Hebrew version establishes a foundational martyrdom narrative, while the Yiddish, nearly triple in length, incorporates dialogue, emotional depth, and familial relationships to enhance memorability for lay audiences. Central to both narratives is the graphic depiction of Rabbi Amnon's torture and dismemberment, which serves as a visceral mnemonic device. I argue that the preservation of these gruesome details functions as a literary mechanism ensuring the continued remembrance of Rabbi Amnon and his poem, which remains a centerpiece of Jewish High Holiday services despite its fictional origins.