Daniel Ben Nahum
Poet 1910-1922
Born in Kaunas, Lithuania, where his father was one of the first Hebrew teachers. He was educated at the Hebrew Gymnasium in Kaunas. At the age of fourteen, he joined the "Hashomer Hatzair" movement, and throughout his life, he remained a loyal fighter for its path. He specialized in agriculture in Nancy, France (1927-1929), and later worked in the leadership of "Hashomer Hatzair" in Lithuania and at the "HeChalutz" center. While still in Lithuania, he published poems, critical essays, and essays on social and literary matters. He immigrated to Palestine in 1933 and, together with his friends from Lithuania, joined Kibbutz Beit Zera. Throughout his life, he combined movement activism, research, and literary writing with agricultural work.
Among other things, he researched the work of Yosef Haim Brenner, was one of the translators and editors of the writings of Dov Ber Borochov (1934), and published books of poetry, articles, and essays all focused on one subject – the kibbutz and its way. His first collection of poems, "D'varim B'Shem Omram" (Things in Their Name) was published in 1965 (Sifriyat Poalim). Other books include: "B'Ma'ale Dorot: Iyunim B'Sifrut HaHaskalah" (Through the Generations: Studies in Enlightenment Literature) (1962); "Atem Ha"D'varim" HaNifla'im" (You are the Wonderful "Things") (1965); "Im Machar V'Etmol V'Ei-Az" (With Tomorrow and Yesterday and Once Upon a Time) (1990).
He was deeply influenced by Bialik's poetics, and although he tried to incorporate the revitalized Hebrew language into his poetry, he always leaned towards florid language and pathos. His poetry is characterized by figurative density and linguistic and associative richness. He was known as a polymath who dedicated his intellectual resources to creation and thought centered on Zionism, Socialism, and the Kibbutz. For his work, he was awarded the Kugel Prize by the Municipality of Holon (1963).
From: Orna Kazimirski, Heksherim Lexicon for Israeli Literature
Contact us:
Our Facebook
