Section | Pizmon |
Page |
Song |
Commentary | Recordings | Application |
Baqashot |
10 |
20 |
ה' בוקר |
Shelomo Ibn Gabirol Maqam Hoseni Hoseni. Psalms 5:4. Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917 |
M. Tawil
|
ה' מלך |
Rast |
155.03 |
132a |
אל חביב |
 |
M Tawil
|
|
Sasgar |
200 |
163 |
אסיר ביוקשי |
Raphael Tabbush Assir El 'Eshq: In 1906, Daoud Hosni was granted the first prize at the Musical Congress in Paris, for the composition of his famous hit "Assir El' Eshq" أســير العــشـق. It is a song that still thrills enthusiasts of Middle-Eastern Music. |
M Tawil
M Tawil 2
|
קדיש |
Ajam |
206 |
169 |
לעם חביב |
Maqam Sasgar Arabic: Sayed El Safti singing "Bid'i il Habib" in Maqam Geharka. Hamaoui Manuscript |
M Tawil
|
קדיש |
Nahwand |
289 |
225 |
מה עצמו |
Moses Ashear Wedding of Selim and Nizha Gindi. Photograph is courtesy of David Catton, grandson. Ashear Manuscript Photograph of Selim and Nizha Gindi |
M Tawil (and next song)
|
קדיש |
Nahwand |
293.2 |
228b |
אני אשיר לך |
|
M Tawil
M Tawil 2
|
נקדישך |
Bayat |
300 |
238 |
יחיד רם |
Raphael Tabbush First song at all Sebets. The initials at the beginning of each stanza form the acrostic 'Yosef'. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript |
M. Tawil
|
פזמון |
Bayat |
308 |
242 |
יה אלי מהר |
Raphael Tabbush Title in Red Book of "Abd Al Ekhoua" is incorrect. The actual title is “min abli mah ahwah algamal.” |
M Tawil
|
נשמת |
Bayat |
341 |
261 |
הבו גודל |
Moses Ashear Bar Misvah. Ashear Manuscript |
Moe Tawil
|
שועת עניים |
Bayat |
389 |
313 |
צור יה אל |
Ezekiel Hai Albeg This pizmon (BAYAT, page 313), whose opening words translate as "Rock, Lord, God, King of the Universe, Unto You Are My Thoughts" was written in the early 1950's by Cantor Ezekiel H Albeg. It was written as a birthday dedication to Mr Charles A Serouya (d. 2005), the President of Young Magen David (YMD). "Charlie", as he was affectionately known, had a rare vibrant personality and devoted most of his life to supporting synagogue causes. The unique group that he created, Young Magen David, or "Charlie's Shul," was the first self-governing 'Youth Minyan' in the Community. The opening words of the song, "Sur Ya El," are a play on Charlie's last name "Serouya," and the acrostic of the song is "צעירי מגן דוד" (Young Magen David). The melody of this song is an instrumental piece called "Bint al-Balad" (Daughter of the Country) by Mohammad 'Abd al-Wahab. What made the composition of this pizmon extremely difficult is that the original Arabic piece, a bashraf, had no words; only a recurring melody. It was only at Gabriel A Shrem's insistence that Cantor Albeg undertook the challenge of composing beautiful Hebrew words to this catchy melody. Photograph of Charlie Serouya |
M. Tawil
|
פזמון |
Mehayar-Bayat |
395 |
321 |
אשיר אני בבית נאוה |
Moses Ashear J Gindi. |
M Tawil
|
קדיש |
Saba |
456 |
379 |
טובך לעולם |
Arabic of it HOBBAK YA SALAM sung by Saleh 'Abd El Hai. Hakham Moshe Ashear used it for Naqdishakh for Perashat Ki Tesse. |
M Tawil
|
נקדישך |
Saba |
458 |
380 |
יחיש מבשר |
This pizmon (SABA, page 380), which translates as "Our Father Will Hasten the Messenger," is an important song about praying for the redemption. This song is composed by H Raphael Tabbush (d. 1918) to the Arabic melody of "Ya'ish WeYe'Shaq Qalbi". In this song, the author asks God to answer our prayers, to forgive our transgressions, to save us from our enemies who are planning acts of violence on us, and to hasten the arrival of Eliahou the Prophet who will announce the redemption of the Jewish people. Traditionally, this song is associated with the last day of a Shalosh Regalim festival (Pesah, Shabuot, Sukkot); the time when we most yearn for the redemption and the rebuilding of the Bet HaMiqdash. H Moshe Ashear applied this melody for the Qaddish of Shabbat Naso in 1937 and 1938 (the Shabbat after the Shabuot festival). In addition, Cantor Isaac J Cabasso applies this melody to Nishmat on the last day of Pesah and Shemini Asseret. |
M Tawil
|
נשמת |
Saba |
492 |
405 |
יהי שלום |
Milah. For the birth of a baby boy. This pizmon is used at the Berit Milah. The initials at the beginning of each stanza form the acrostic 'Yehoshua'. This pizmon is taken from Mahzor Aram Soba, Sefer Shirim, Baghdad, 1906. An older version of this same song is found in Mahzor Aram Soba of 1560 (words vary slightly). Mahzor Aram Soba 1560 Shire Zimrah, Algiers, 1889 |
M Tawil
|
בפי ישרים |
Saba |
495 |
410 |
אתה אהובי |
Abraham I Antebi Ata Ahubi (SABA, page 410), translated as "You are my Beloved," is the first song heard in a young boy's life; at his Berit Milah at eight days old. Composed by the illustrious H Abraham I Antebi (1765-1858), Chief Rabbi of Aleppo, the song has the acrostic "Abraham Hazaq." Each of the 6 stanzas end with the word "Eyn," meaning eye. In the first stanza, the author thanks God for "Him giving happiness in my heart" and is comforted that "in You, I can lean." The next four stanzas refer to the Berit Milah, the covenant between God and Abraham, and allude to some of its festive rituals. The last stanza, in the original version of the song, states "Strengthen Aram Soba (Aleppo), the good city, and also the [resting] place of the master, Ezra [HaSofer], a fine pearl that the eye shall see." In later publications, in an attempt to standardize the song, this last stanza was altered to remove the references to Aleppo. This melody is applied to Naqdishakh preceding a Berit Milah as well as on Shabbat Lekh Lekha and Tazria. Attiah Manuscript Yabess Manuscript Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Shire Zimrah, Algiers, 1889 |
M Tawil
|
נקדישך |
Saba |
496 |
411 |
מה טוב מה נעים |
Mordechai Abadi This pizmon (SABA, page 411), whose opening words are “How Good, How Nice Are Things In Their [Proper] Time,” is a song for the Mila; the circumcision ceremony. It is composed by the Aleppian sage, H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1884), author of “Dibre Mordekhai.” The acrostic is “Mordekhai Hazaq Abadi,” and each of the 6 stanzas is followed by the famous chorus “Eliahou, Mebaser Hu...”. In the chorus, we recall Eliahou the Prophet as one who announces the redemption and who attends every Mila ceremony. There are references in the song to three blessings recited: "HaGefen," “Al HaMila,” and “Koret HaBerit," as well as a reference to the tradition of setting up a special chair for Eliahou, who is referred to as the “angel of the covenant.” At the song's conclusion, in the merit of Abraham (the father of the covenant), there is a prayer to rescue (like in the days of Mordekhai) all those who partake in the festive meal of this very special Misvah (one which weighs equivalent to all the other laws combined). In differing sources, this song is classified as either Maqam SABA, BAYAT or NAWAH, and in the morning prayers of a Mila, this melody can be heard for El Hahodaot. Abraham Sitehon Manuscript A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 British Library Or. 10375 |
M Tawil
|
אל ההודאות |
Hijaz |
594 |
492 |
רנו גילו |
Raphael Tabbush This pizmon (HIJAZ, page 492), composed by H Raphael Antebi Tabbush, is a song written for Purim. Unlike other Purim songs, most of which are in Maqam SIGAH, this song is classified as Maqam HIJAZ; a maqam typically reserved for sad occasions. The acrostic of this piece is "Raphael Hazaq," and consists of 5 stanzas; corresponding to the letters of the author's name. Each stanza is followed by the chorus which begins with the words "Zekher Sadiq Yarum Hodo" etc. The song opens on a happy note ("Proclaim joy and rejoice all creations"); calling onto all the creations of the world to recognize the miracle of Purim. The middle of the pizmon is about the hard times and suffering that Haman put the Jews through ("the enemy conspired to be the head"). The last stanza ends on a hopeful note; calling for the Messiah and the rebuilding of the Temple so that we can offer sacrifices again. The melody of this song is applied to either Naqdishakh on Purim or Keter on Shabbat Zakhor. Tabbush Manuscript |
Tawil- Qedusha
|
נקדישך |
Hoseni |
613 |
512 |
רשות לברוך שאמר |
|
M. Tawil
|
|
|
2102 |
514j |
אחות קטנה |
Abraham Hazan Maqam Rahawi Nawah "Ahot Qetana," or "Young Sister," is a poem by the 13th century rabbi H Abraham Hazan of Girona, in eastern Spain (acrostic: “Abraham Hazan Hazaq”). This piyut is sung on the eve of Rosh Hashana; at the closing of the old year. According to Gabriel A Shrem, its melody, which is in Maqam NAWAH, is also applied for Semehim on the Shabbat prior to Rosh Hashana. What relates this poem to Rosh Hashana are the words at the end of each of the first eight verses "Tikhle Shana Veqileloteha" (end the year and all its curses). The poem compares the Jewish people to a young sister; one who relies on her brothers to survive. This young sister is suffering from all types of problems. She is constantly under attack from enemies. Her possessions are looted and vandalized by foreigners. She is left with nothing; humiliated and alone. In essence, this poem is a protest to God on how He can allow such bad things to happen to the suffering Jewish nation. In the last verse, however, God responds: "Strengthen and Rejoice, for your exile is over." Echoing the words of Isaiah, there is a call for all the people to get on the paths to Zion and return from the exile. On that note, the poem concludes with the words: "Tahel Shana Ubirkhoteha" (begin the year with all it's blessings). |
M. Tawil
|
ה' מלך |
|
2114 |
|
שיך סלאמה חג'אזי |
Maqam Hijaz |
Tawil- Qedousha
|
נקדישך |
|
2116.02 |
|
דוגמאות מיום הכפורים |
Sample Yom Kippur Prayers |
Moe Tawil- 3 Kemo Shehodata
|
|
|
2117 |
|
כי לה' המלוכה |
|
M. Tawil
|
דוגמא |
|
2129 |
514n |
לך אלי תשוקתי |
Abraham Ibn Ezra Opens the prayers on Yom Kippur Evening. Discusses confessions of a person and realizations that everything comes from Hashem. Ashear used this song for Semehim on Shabbat Shubah. |
M. Tawil
|
פיוט |
|
2130 |
514m |
אלהי אל תדינני |
Isaac Ibn Mar Shaul Spain--10th-11th century--- The piyyut, used on Rosh Hashanah, is an alphabetical acrostic, and portrays a person confessing his sins. |
M. Tawil
|
פיוט |
|
2131 |
514o |
ידי רשים |
Yehuda HaLevi |
M. Tawil
|
פיוט |
|
2132 |
514o |
המבורך |
This is the last verse of the above song that the cantor sings alone. |
M. Tawil
|
פיוט |
|
2133 |
514s |
שנאנים שאננים |
|
M. Tawil
|
פיוט |
|
2134 |
514q |
אלהים אלי אתה |
|
M. Tawil
|
פיוט |
Haggadah |
הגדה |
H2 |
קידוש |
Maqam Ajam |
M. Tawil
|
|
|
4086 |
N3 |
כי לה' המלוכה |
|
Moe A. Tawil: Nahwand
Moe A. Tawil: Bayat
Moe A. Tawil: Saba
Moe A. Tawil: Sigah
Moe A Tawil: Hijaz
|
|
|
4098 |
N17 |
ממצרים |
Light musical style. |
Moe Tawil- Mimisrayim- Ajam
|
|