BIALYK, CHAJIM NACHMAN. - The greatest contemporary Jewish poet. Born at Radi (Volhynia) on 9 Jan.
1873, died at Vienna on 6 July 1934. His poetic activity continued uninterruptedly from 1891 to 1911; it produced some fruits in 1915; his last poem dates from 1923, on the occasion of his fiftieth birthday. A vigorous lyric poet, he gave the Hebrew language plasticity and originality, and rose to become the interpreter of an entire people; he also composed popular songs. As a prose writer, he published short stories, translations, critical essays, and writings for children.
His Legends concerning King David and King Solomon are deservedly famous. Noteworthy among his didactic publications are a commentary on the Mišnah, a great anthology of the traditional Haggādhāh, and biblical anthologies. He also published and commented upon poems by medieval authors. In Russia and in Palestine he headed important publishing houses and founded and directed literary journals.