MAQAM OF THE WEEK: HIJAZ              ויחי

On Shabbat Vayehi (Genesis 47:28- 50:26), Maqam HIJAZ is applied to the prayers according to all Aleppo sources. The dissenting opinion of Maqam SABA is cited by Damascus sources. This maqam gets its name from the 'HEJAZ' region, which is the western province of the Arabian Peninsula. This location includes Mecca and Medina, holy to the Islamic faith, as well as Jeddah, the second largest city in Saudi Arabia. The melody of this maqam is associated with sad events, such as funerals. It is warranted here, because we read about the death of Jacob and the funeral procession. Sephardic Pizmonim Project, www.pizmonim.com.

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