For Shabbat Shemot (Exodus 1:1- 6:1), Maqam RAST is traditionally applied to the prayers according to SUHV (Red Pizmonim Book) and at least 20 other sources. This maqam, defined as 'head' in Arabic ('Ras'), represents a beginning, and is applied when we begin a new book. This relates here, because Shemot is the first Torah portion in the Book of Exodus. Dissenting opinion of using Maqam BAYAT (~16 sources), which sounds like the word 'bat' (daughter), is of significance, because Pharaoh allows all the Hebrew daughters ('bat') to live. PIZMON SEFER TORAH: El Me'od Na'ala (page 266); reference to Moshe and Aaron, both introduced in this week's portion. Sephardic Pizmonim Project, www.pizmonim.com.