Adon ‘Olam (Lord of the World)
Adon Olam is one of the most ancient Piyutim that is still widely known and sung throughout the communities of Israel. Some attribute this Piyut to R. Shlomo Ibn Gabirol (The Rashbag), although there is no proof that he is the author.
It is customary to sing this Piyut before morning prayers.
Medieval rabbis regarded this poem with high esteem. Rabbi Yehudah the Pious of Germany wrote: “I guarantee that the prayers of one who says Adon Olam with attention are heard, and that Satan shall not act against his prayers... some say that even the evil inclination within him will reside and not entice him” (Sha’arei Tfilah 308:10b). The reason for this reverence can be attributed to the rare combination of the most important principles of faith with a sense of natural, emotional closeness to the Divine.