Pesah - פסח

Pesah: The Holiday of Our Freedom

Introduction by Sam Catton

The first of our festivals is the Holiday of Passover in which God showed His might in Egypt for the sake of His preferred people. We were lowly slaves in the land of Egypt and our enslavers were desirous of destroying our existence as a Nation.

The Almighty did not forget His promise to Abraham and with his great power, redeemed us from our slavery in Egypt.

The observance of this Holiday has many aspects which are very well-known. The first of which is to recite the HAGGADAH, in which we tell the story of our miraculous delivery from Egypt to our children in order to establish for all generations to come the basis of our faith in God, and the reason of our existence as a free people. Only "Kosher for Passover" foods and beverages may be consumed or even present in our households.

As we came out of Egypt some 3,400 years ago, the sun of freedom broke out and shined upon us. It was truly the miracle of all time. The Talmud states that "in the month of Nissan we were redeemed and we will once again be redeemed in this same month." May the Almighty hasten that day.

Passover, the Festival of Massot, begins on 15 Nissan.

Prayers

Section	Pizmon	Page	Song	Commentary	Recordings	Application
Haggadah	2300	H2	הגדה	Maqam Rahawi Nawah	G. Shrem Max E Tawil- Magid Barkai Yeshiva Class
Haggadah	הגדה	H2	קידוש	Maqam Ajam	H David A Tawil - Qadesh UrHass and Qiddush D Binker-Duek
Haggadah	2302		כי לא נאה	Maqam Ajam	play pause G. Shrem play pause I Cabasso
Song of Songs	3006	SS1	שיר השירים	Maqam Bayat. Read every Friday night.	G. Shrem Recording Recording Max E Tawil- Shir Hashirim H Baruch Ben Haim Felix Tourgeman- Chapter 8 Salem Aisbeda, 1911- Shir Hashirim 1:1-8 H Zaki Sardar - Full Moshe Dwek D Tawil: Shir Hashirim
Haggadah	2304	H40	מן יעלם ומן ידרי	Arabic.	D Binker-Duek
Tehillim	107	174	מזמור קז - מזמור לחג הפסח	This psalm speaks of those who are saved for four specific perilous situations (imprisonment, sickness, desert travel, and sea travel). It is appropriate to praise God in public for getting you through these situations. Recited on Pesah. Aleppo Codex	Max E Tawil H Baruch Ben Haim	הודו

Pizmonim

Section	Pizmon	Page	Song	Commentary	Recordings	Application
Rast	132	120	יחיד נורא	Raphael Tabbush This jovial pizmon (RAST, page 120), composed by H Raphael Antebi Tabbush (deceased December 1918) of Aleppo, Syria, is one of the most important and popular songs for the festival of Pesah. There are four stanzas in this pizmon; corresponding to the four letter of name of God (Tetragrammaton). Within each stanza, there are multiple rhyming clauses. Although the melody of this song should not be applied to any of the pieces of prayers, this pizmon is used for the PIZMON SEFER TORAH (typically on Shabbat HaHodesh or 1-2 Pesah). Many aspects of the month of Nisan, including the Haggadah and the counting of the Omer, are alluded to in this special pizmon. In general, the composer gives praise to God for all of His kindness to mankind, and specifically to the Jewish nation for the Exodus from Egypt and the splitting of the sea. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923	Fule Yanani S. Salem M. Kairey Albert Cohen Saban G. Shrem Recording I Cabasso Moshe Dwek
Ajam	220	175	אל מלא הנחסר	El Male Hanehsar (AJAM, page 175) is a pizmon for the Pesah festival. This song, most probably composed by H Raphael Antebi Tabbush (d. 1918), has the acrostic of God’s name; first the word אהי״ה and then also the name יהו״ה. The song, which starts with “God, who fills the emptiness,” continues to list His attributes and how it relates to the Pesah festival; freeing His nation, settling them, etc. As a result of this kindness, the people give praise to Him (Hallel) and offer him the Pesah sacrifice. The second verse of the song does not allude to Pesah, but rather the day to day life of relying on God; calling out to Him; asking Him not to hold His hand back or delay from performing miracles, because the morning is coming and we, His chosen nation, need help right away. The melody of this song can be applied to El Hahodaot or Rau Banim for services in Maqam AJAM in close proximity to Pesah.	I. Cabasso E. Menaged Fule Yanani G. Shrem Recording	אל ההודאות
Nahwand	278	216	רחום אתה	Raphael Tabbush "Rahum Ata" (NAHWAND, page 216) is composed by H Rephael Tabbush (Aleppo, ~1830 - Cairo, 1918), author of the "Shir Ushbaha" pizmonim book (1888). According to the notes of H Moshe Ashear, this song is reserved for Shabbat Beshalah (Shabbat Shira), and the Seventh Day of Pesah. There are 4 stanzas in this pizmon; corresponding to ר-פ-א-ל. The melody of this pizmon is called "Bafta Hindi," and can be applied to Mimisrayim on weeks of Maqam NAHWAND. "Merciful are You for redeeming us from captivity," the pizmon opens; referring to the captivity of slavery under Pharaoh. The second verse is a prayer to redeem us now and to send Eliahu the Prophet to herald the redemption. After we hear of the redemption, the third verse says that we will sing praises to God. The fourth verse mentions how on the seventh day after the Exodus, God rescued our nation by overpowering nature and splitting the Red Sea. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	I. Cabasso M Kairey Fule Yanani G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording Musa Camjagi- Semehim I Cabasso Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Mimisrayim	ממצרים
Bayat	319	246	מעזי אז כלה קץ	Raphael Tabbush “Mauzi,” or “My Fortress” (BAYAT, page 246), is a song that is very popular. H Raphael Tabbush is likely the author of this pizmon, but this is uncertain. The melody of this song is from the Arabic song “Baladi Askara Min Araf il Lama.” This song is associated with the Shalosh Regalim festivals due to a brief reference to them. The melody of this pizmon is typically applied to Shav’at Aniyim for weeks of Maqam BAYAT. Despite this being a song for the most happy of holidays, this song is actually very sad. It asks why has God abandoned us and why has the Messiah not yet arrived? It describes how our enemies have taken over our vineyards and have killed us. The climax of the song, “Al Damam,” describes how “my tears fall on their blood" (the blood of fellow Jews) and how our tears are enough to fill rivers. The four verse piece concludes with an open question: “Where has my Beloved gone; to Whom I rejoice three times a year?” Commentary on Pizmon	N. Salem Ezra Sayegh E. Menaged Fule Yanani I. Cabasso- Shav'at G. Shrem Recording R Barzani- Shaveat I Cabasso E Sayegh D Binker-Duek Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - SA Moshe Dwek - Mauzi	שועת עניים
Rahawi Nawah	436	359	אמונים ערכו שבח	אהרן כהן Emunim (RAHAW, page 359), or "The Faithful," is an important Sephardic hymn for Pesah; specifically for the Leil HaSeder. It can be found in Mahzor Aram Soba (1527), making it one of our oldest pizmonim still in active transmission. It has the acrostic of "Aharon Kohen." Each of the 7 stanzas end with the words "Va'amartem Zebah Pesah..." (ואמרתם זבח פסח); referring to the commandment mentioned in Exodus 12:27 to offer the Qorban Pesah to God. Other Missvot relating to Pesah are also referred to, such as, eating Massa and Maror, drinking the four cups of wine, and retelling of the story of the exodus from Egypt (ending with receiving the Torah). The last verse ends "Your doings are wondrous; Your miracles are powerful; all those who seek refuge in You will say 'It is good to take refuge in the Lord' (Psalm 118:8)." The hymn is traditionally sung at the Seder in the Magid portion, and the melody of this hymn is applied to the prayers for Semehim of Shabbat Hagadol, and Naqdishakh of Ereb Pesah. Mahzor Aram Soba 1527 Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Yabess Manuscript A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923	Yosef Hamaoui G. Shrem G. Shrem 2 Fule Yanani G. Shrem Recording Recording M Habusha Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Semehim / Mimisrayim Moshe Dwek - Emunim	שמחים
Rahawi Nawah	438	361	בנה לי זבול משכני	רפאל (חזק) "Build Me An Abode For My Dwelling" (NAWAH, page 361) is a song for Pesah. It is composed by the early nineteenth century Aleppian poet H Raphael Dwek HaKohen (acrostic: רפאל). It's melody is transposed from the Arabic song "Ya Sahee El Sabree." In this four stanza rhyming song with a repeating chorus, the author speaks from God's point of view in the first person. God, through the lens of the author, is describing what He desires to see in a future messianic era. He asks the Jewish people to build a place for Him to dwell (like the Mishkan). In this sanctuary, the Kohen will bring sacrifice offerings, the Levites will return and sing from their posts, and the Israelites will come with their families to celebrate good times. The second stanza describes how the Pesah offering will be brought at the right time, as well as the 'Omer offering, and everything will return back to the pre-exilic normal. The song then focuses on describing the sorry state of affairs of the Jewish people in exile, and how God commits to sending help via a messenger from King David's household (the Messiah). The fourth stanza is God pleading for the Jewish people not to return to God empty handed, but rather take what belongs to them, and overcome their troubles by defeating their enemies. The imagery of returning to the Land of Israel and bringing the Pesah offering to the future Beit Hamiqdash makes this pizmon especially meaningful and appropriate for the Pesah festival. The melody of this pizmon is often applied to various pieces of prayers on Shabbat Hagadol (the Shabbat prior to Pesah), and the pizmon itself is sung at the beginning of the Pesah holiday. Attiah Manuscript Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Yabess Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 British Library Or. 10375	G. Shrem G. Shrem 2 Fule Yanani G. Shrem Recording Isaac Cabasso- Rau Banim D Binker-Duek Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh Moshe Dwek - Rau Banim	נקדישך
Rahawi Nawah	439	361	מי ימלל	Mordechai Abadi This pizmon, (Maqam NAWAH, page 361), is composed by H Mordekhai Abadi (Aleppo, 1826, - Jerusalem, 1884), author of "Dibre Mordekhai," and other Halakha responsa. There are a total of 5 stanzas in this pizmon; corresponding to מ-ר-ד-כ-י. "Who can recount the strengths and wonders of the most perfect and wise?" the poem begins, and then proceeds to list the miracles that God orchestrated as the Children of Israel leave Egypt. Starting with the third stanza, the 10 plagues that occurred in Egypt are poetically described. In the last verse, after the festival of Pesah is mentioned, there is a reference to the belief that Pesah, a time of a previous redemption, will be the season in the future when "we will be redeemed." As per the Hazzanut notes of H Moshe Ashear, this song is reserved for Shabbat Bo and Shabbat Hagadol. The Ades synagogue in Jerusalem, however, has a tradition of using this song one week earlier on Shabbat Vaera. Abraham Sitehon Manuscript	Yosef Hamaoui G. Shrem Fule Yanani G. Shrem Recording Y Nahari I Cabasso Maury Blanco	ממצרים
Saba	485	400	אל בידו	אליהו חזק "El Beyado Yado Yado," (SABA, page 400) translated as "God, with His hand, will redeem Israel his servant" is used to herald the month of Nisan, the month of redemption, and the Pesah festival. The acrostic of this song is "Eliahou Hazaq" (אליהו חזק); referring to Eliahou HaNabi, the one who will announce the redemption. The author of this song is most probably H Raphael Antebi Tabbush from Aleppo, Syria. The melody of this is from the Arabic song "Hai Kardo Kardo." Originally, there were two separate texts written for this melody; one entitled "Beyado" (not discussing the month of Nisan) and the other called "El Beyado." Eventually, the author merged the two songs into one; retaining the first stanza of the "Beyado" song (אהבתיך צור ידידי) and putting it into the holiday-oriented "El Beyado" song. This pizmon can be sung as PIZMON SEFER TORAH on the Shabbat prior to Rosh Hodesh Nisan, and the melody of this pizmon, as per H Isaac Cabasso, can be applied to Mimisrayim on Shabbat Hagadol. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	G. Shrem 2 I Cabasso Recording Y Nahari I Cabasso	כתר
Saba	511	427	רצני אהוב	Ezra Dweck and Gabriel Shrem This pizmon (SABA, page 427), whose title can be translated as “My Beloved Will Want Me,” is a song that describes the love between man and his creator. The Hebrew words to the pizmon were composed by H Ezra Dweck with the assistance of Hazzan Gabriel A Shrem. It is written in honor of the great rabbi, H Baruch Ben Haim, who moved into the Syrian Jewish community of Brooklyn circa 1950 and got married to Charlotte, the daughter of the Chief Rabbi, Jacob S Kassin. The melody of this is from an Arabic song by the famous and influential Syrian-Egyptian composer, singer, and Oud player, Farid Al-Atrash (1910 - 1974). The song, called “Ghali Ya Bouy” (Dear Boy), was featured in the 1948 film called “Bolbol Effendi” (Mr Nightingale), and became wildly popular and beloved throughout the world; our community included. The melody of this song has been adapted to many pieces of prayers, such as Halleluya (Psalm 150), when prayers are being conducted in Maqam SABA. In addition, this song became associated with Pesah, and the entire month of Nissan, due to the references to them mentioned in the song’s second stanza. Leaflet Photograph of H Barukh Ben Haim	G. Shrem Part 1 G. Shrem Part 2 G. Shrem 2 G. Shrem Recording Eliahou Ozen- Qaddish Isaac Cabasso- Qaddish Shrem and Cabby E Sayegh Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Halleluya Moshe Dwek - Qaddish	הללויה
Sigah	518	435	אתה מרום	This pizmon (SIGAH, page 435), whose title is translated as "You, Who Lives in Heaven and Resides Above," is a song for the Yom Tob festivals. The acrostic of this song is Abraham (אברהם), and there is a reference here to each of the three patriarchs. What makes this song unique is that each of the five rhyming stanzas ends with a biblical source referencing God's name. The song begins with how the author and the entire community will rejoice and praise God at happy occasions; in the happiness of the bride and groom (in the first stanza), and in the happiness of the Yom Tob festivals (in the second stanza). The third stanza then asks that God, the merciful One, will spread his kindness on the children of Abraham. The fourth stanza says that we should praise God, because He will rebuild the Beit HaMiqdash where we will soon offer sacrifices to God in the future. The poem concludes (in the fifth stanza) with a plea to fulfill the prophecy of Ezekiel of returning to Zion, rebuilding the Temple, and then sending the Messiah, from the House of King David, to redeem the Jewish nation. Due to the song’s clear reference to “Eleh Moadei Hashem (Leviticus 23:4),” the source in the Torah that discusses the annual holiday cycle, this can be used as a PIZMON SEFER TORAH on the Shalosh Regalim. Tabbush Manuscript	E. Menaged G. Shrem M. Kairey G. Shrem Recording Moshe Dwek
	1260		אל שוכן שמים ואחר כותלנו	אהרון Maqam Rast Yabess Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript	play pause Recording	שועת עניים
	391.083	239a	מה נאזר	Maqam Bayat For Passover and Succot. Argentinian book page 120. Shir Ushbaha, 1921 British Library Or. 10375	F. Yanani
Rahawi Nawah	437	360	מלך המפואר	משה חזק Rahawi. Rosh Hashana, but also may be used for Pesah. Attiah Manuscript Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Yabess Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923	G. Shrem G. Shrem 2 G. Shrem Recording	שמחים
Sigah	521	437	יונה יקושה	יום טוב Attiah Manuscript Yabess Manuscript Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript	Maftirim R. Elnadav M Habusha
Sigah	540	449	ארך זמני	Pesah association.	Fule Yanani I. Cabasso I. Cabasso- Shav'at G. Shrem Recording Recording Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - SA , BY	שועת עניים
	1502		יחיד פסח בליל פסח	Maqam Iraq Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript	play pause Shaar Binyamin (Mexico)
	2064		נפלאות אל בארץ חם	נסים חזק Maqam Hoseni Yabess Manuscript	play pause Shaar Binyamin (Mexico)