Ma'oz Tzur

For Mao's (Hebrew מעוז צור fortress, rock [ my rescue ] ) are the initial words of a song that is sung during the Chanukkafestes of Ashkenazi Jews primarily in home celebration, but also in the synagogue. The song comes from Germany and probably dates back to the 13th century. The opening words are a paraphrase of Isaiah 17:10 EU. Originally Mao to six stanzas, but today are sung mostly only the first five. From the acrostic of the first five stanzas can be close to a poet named Mordecai, who is unknown to the remainder. Over time, the song still more verses have been added, including by Moses Isserles.

The most well-known melody to Mao to is Western European origin. Eduard Birnbaum and Abraham Zvi Idelsohn established a connection to early Protestant hymns ( Now Rejoice, dear Christians g'mein ) fixed, but there are also similarities with a Patrem omnipotentem from the 15th century has been found in the various Bohemian- Silesian manuscripts is obtained. A melody of Tedesco - Jews ( German -speaking Jews in Italy) was recorded by Benedetto Marcello in his Estro poetico - armonico (Venice 1724). It is still sung in Italy; at most other places, however, the Western European, Ashkenazi standard version has prevailed.