So, to start with you can find the full piyyut here, on p 228. Pretty strong stuff!
Anyway, you know how ונתנה תוקף was inserted into the liturgy relatively late? This piece about the poor king used to be in that spot, along with a depressing piyyut about how Adam couldn't even keep one commandment, so what hope do we have of 613. Plus a more upbeat one where God sits on the Throne of Judgement and all the angels agree that man deserves destruction, but God gets up and moves to the Throne of Mercy and pardons everyone anyway. Apparently all this was considered too uncomfortable for people suffering persecution, and probably too political as it could easily be read as critical of the authorities. Cool, ne?
stuff I learned from margavriel
Anyway, you know how ונתנה תוקף was inserted into the liturgy relatively late? This piece about the poor king used to be in that spot, along with a depressing piyyut about how Adam couldn't even keep one commandment, so what hope do we have of 613. Plus a more upbeat one where God sits on the Throne of Judgement and all the angels agree that man deserves destruction, but God gets up and moves to the Throne of Mercy and pardons everyone anyway. Apparently all this was considered too uncomfortable for people suffering persecution, and probably too political as it could easily be read as critical of the authorities. Cool, ne?