March 19, 2024 ~ VAYIQRA + ZAKHOR. SIGAH.

H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1884)

H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1884) was one of the greatest Hakhamim living in Aleppo. He composed many Halakhic responsa books, Biblical commentaries and sermons, as well as many liturgical poems (piyyutim and pizmonim). The names of some of his Halakhic books are: מעיין גנים, חן מרדכי, מליץ נעים. The Baqashot book that he assemmbled in 1873 was called "Miqra Qodesh" (מקרא קודש).  The book "דברי מרדכי" contains some of the pizmonim that he composed. Seven of his pizmonim became incorporated into the Baqashot canon. In addition, he composed the very popular pizmon, "מקהלות עם".

 

Pizmonim

Section Pizmon Page Song CommentaryRecordings Application
Baqashot 18 27 מי לה' אתי Maqam Bayat First seen in "Miqrah Qodesh", 1883. Bayat. Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917 Archives
Ohabe Zion 1960
Baqashot 21 29 יום זה שירו Maqam Mehayar-Bayat This song (MEHAYAR / RAHAW, page 29), considered the most popular of the Baqashot collection, is composed by the great rabbi H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1884) of Aleppo, Syria. Other compositions by H Abadi can be found in "Dibre Mordekhai" (Aleppo, 1873). Although the acrostic is “Yosef Binyamin Hazaq," H Abadi's name is hinted to in the song. The theme of the song is to encourage the people to enjoy the Shabbat by singing to God. According to the chorus, the Sabbath is special because it is a time of rest from work, and it is our inheritance to be happy on this very blessed day. Throughout the 5 stanzas, there are many allusions to verses from the Tanakh. The final verse is a charge to strengthen those in the community who wake up pre-dawn to sing the Baqashot; reminding them “these are your lives to reach strengths and to dwell in the courtyards in the House of God." Besides for singing this during the Baqashot, this song is also customarily heard on the table during the Shabbat meal. A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917 E. Menaged
Archives
Moshe Dwek
Baqashot 31 39 יודוך מלך Maqam Rahawi Nawah Written by H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1883). Rahawi Nawah. Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917 Archives
E. Menaged
G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Ohabe Zion 1960
Yaaqob Bozo - Shavat Aniyim
Moshe Dwek - HM / Halleluya
אל ההודאות
Baqashot 41 48 אני אספר Maqam Rast This pizmon (BAQASHOT, page 48), translated as "I Will Explain," is a song that was written in order to glorify the observance of the Shabbat. The pizmon, whose melody is classified as both Maqam IRAQ or RAST, is part of the Baqashot collection; songs chanted pre-dawn prior to Morning services on Shabbat. The author is one of the most important Hakhamim of Aleppo, H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1884), as illustrated by the song's acrostic "Ani Hu Mordekhai Ben L'Yaaqob Abadi Hazeq Amess” (אני הוא מרדכי בן ליעקב עבאדי חזק אמץ). This is one of seven songs in the Baqashot section authored by H Mordekhai Abadi. In one of the longest songs in our canon (28 stanzas), the author poetically enumerates all 39 Melakhot (forms of labor) that are prohibited on Shabbat. Despite all the prohibitions, the Sabbath day is considered "a delight," and those who participate in the Sabbath observance are entitled to great merit. Of all the songs encountered in the Aleppo tradition, this song seems to be the most focused on Halakha (Rabbinic Jewish law). The melody of this song is most commonly applied to Semehim for prayer services in Maqam RAST. A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917 Archives
Yosef Hamaoui
G. Shrem
Ohabe Zion 1960
I Cabasso- Semehim
E Menaged
שמחים
Baqashot 42 51 מהללך ורוב גדלך Maqam Rast Written by H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1883). Lists the seven heavens. Rast. A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917 Archives
Yosef Hamaoui
E. Sayegh
I. Cabasso - Qaddish
M. Kairey
M. Kairey (Domamim)
G. Shrem
G. Shrem
D Riahi- Nishmat
Isaac Cabasso- Nishmat
I Cabasso- Domamim- Qaddish
I Cabasso- Qaddish (Domamim)
E Menaged
David Franco - Nishmat and Reading in Maqam RAST
נשמת
Baqashot 43 52 משמים שלום לעם Maqam Rast Written by H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1883). Rast. A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917 Archives
G. Shrem
Ohabe Zion 1960
H Mousa Basul- Qaddish
D Riahi- Qaddish
E Menaged- Naqdishakh
E Menaged
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh
Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh
Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh
נקדישך
Baqashot 54 62 מרומים ישכון Maqam Sigah Written by H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1883). Sigah. Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917 Archives
Ohabe Zion 1960
Ajam 215 173 מקהלות עם This pizmon (AJAM, page 173), whose opening words translate as "In the assembly of the nation God is blessed," is a popular celebratory song associated with weddings. It is composed by the prominent rabbi, judge, and poet, H Mordekhai Abadi (b. Aleppo, 1826 - 1883), who is the author of "Dibre Mordekhai" (Aleppo, 1873), a collection of sixty nine pizmonim assorted by maqam, as well as "Miqra Qodesh," a collection of Baqashot. This song has four stanzas (acrostic: מ-ר-ד-כי) and a repeating chorus ("Haleluhu Gadeluhu"). The song seems to honor a bridegroom with the first name 'Jacob,' but this name is a metaphor for the entire nation of Israel. The song is an ongoing blessing to this bridegroom (i.e. wealth, honor, and longevity), as well as an ongoing praise to God for His generosity and kindness. The song ends with a remembrance of the strength that Israel had at the exodus from Egypt as well as a blessing for us to merit a future redemption when we will all live in Jerusalem. A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 British Library Or. 10375 M Kairey
G. Shrem
Fule Yanani
Saul Nobeh Betesh
G. Shrem
Recording
I Cabasso
Eliahu Saal- Qaddish
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh
נקדישך
Saba 496 411 מה טוב מה נעים 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
Fule Yanani
I Cabasso
Recording
Moshe Dwek
אל ההודאות
Saba 497 412 מבטן ידיד יה קדש Milah Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Morris Elmann
Fule Yanani
A Mouhadeb
D Kassin - Mimisrayim
2610 מקום בינה איפה נמצא Maqam Saba Composed by H Mordekhai Abadi. D Binker-Dwek
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