March 18, 2024 ~ VAYIQRA + ZAKHOR. SIGAH.

Hijaz - حجاز

Introduction

Hijaz - חג'אז - refers to Saudi Arabia, which is still known as the Hijaz.

 This maqam, which originated in Saudi Arabia, has become linked with death and sad occasions by the Syrian Jews (and not necessarily the remaining non-Jewish Arabic traditions).

 According to the Jews of Damascus, the only Shabbat of the year that Hijaz is used is Debarim. According to Gabriel A Shrem, Hijaz in its purest form should only be used for Debarim, and for the rest of the weeks,  Hijaz should be mixed with Bayat.

 The Jews of Damascus only use Maqam Hijaz for Shabbat Debarim.

 Other maqamat in the Hijaz family are: Shahnaz, Suzidil, or Zanjaran.

Hijaz tetrachord: starting on D

Index of Pizmonim

Pizmon Page Song CommentaryRecordings Application
566 473 אזכיר תהילות Raphael Tabbush Acrostic (follows the Aleph Bet pattern). Contains the 10 Sefirot. Tabbush Manuscript David Sebi
Y. Bozo
פזמון
567 474 עטרה לישנה יה החזר Attiah Manuscript Ezra Attia Manuscript Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Shire Zimrah, Algiers, 1889 British Library Or. 10375 Arabic
568 475 היכלי נרמס Arabic
Recording
David Masri
569 475 יחלצון Maqam Shehnaz Tabbush Manuscript G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
Maury Blanco
נשמת
570 476 אשאל מאל אב הרחמן British Library Or. 10375 British Library Or. 10375 - Arabic נקדישך
571 476 אל רם נורא ואיום Raphael Tabbush Maqam Shehnaz Yom Kippur. Tabbush Manuscript G. Shrem
Recording
G Shrem- Semehim
I Cabasso- Pizmon & EH
I Cabasso- Naqdishakh
שמחים
572 477 ירצני אהוב יה אלי Yehudah Ben Noah Maqam Shehnaz Yabess Manuscript I. Cabasso
Recording
Maury Blanco
573 477 חמלתך שים על עבדך Arabic
Maury Blanco
574 478 רבת שבעה לה נפשי Raphael Tabbush This pizmon (HIJAZ, page 478), whose opening words are translated as “My Soul is Satiated” (based on a reference from Psalms 123:4), is a song for Yom Kippur. It is composed by the great Aleppian poet, H Raphael Antebi Tabbush, whose first name, ‘Raphael’ (רפאל), forms the acrostic of this 4 stanza rhyming song. The origin of this melody is the Spanish song called “Mis Hermanos” (My Brothers), and it can be applied to Naqdishakh on the morning of Yom Kippur. The theme of this song is about the “Day of Judgment” and the Hebrew word “Dean” (דין), or judgment, is the last word of each stanza. The author opens with an expression of trouble and despair, saying that his soul is filled with the suffering caused by the hands of his adversaries. He asks God for help; asking Him to judge against these adversaries. The author then recognizes that his transgressions are the main causes of his sufferings and then expresses regret about his misdeeds. He ponders to himself “If I don’t observe the commandments of the Torah, how will I come out on the day of judgment?” In the third stanza, the author asks for forgiveness and for his lot to be placed with “good people” or those who are knowledgeable in law. The author concludes by asking God to save him, to satiate him with good (in contrast to the satiation mentioned in the opening stanza), and to judge him favorably, leniently, and with mercy. Tabbush Manuscript E. Menaged - Qaddish
I. Cabasso
G. Shrem
Recording
Recording- Qedusha
I Cabasso
G Shrem
G Shrem
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Nishmat
Moshe Dwek - Qaddish
Moshe Dwek - Qaddish
Moshe Dwek
נקדישך
575 479 עזרני אל חי Raphael Tabbush This pizmon (HIJAZ, page 479), whose title is translated as "Help Me, O' Living God," is a song for the Aseret Yeme Teshuba, also known as the Ten Days of Repentance. This pizmon, composed by Aleppian poet, H Raphael Antebi "Ades" Tabbush, is one of the few Sephardic pizmonim that has managed to penetrate through to the greater Jewish world, especially the Chabad Hasidic sect. This song, whose acrostic is "ADES" (עדס), which is the official family name of H Raphael, has three rhyming stanzas. In this song, the author, H Raphael, asks God to assist him in his struggle against his YeSser HaRa', or evil inclinations, and asks God to assist him to repent for his past misdeeds. "Without you, O'Savior, there is no salvation!" he says. He then continues to say that he merits forgiveness from God, because he has "returned" from his transgressions and he will not continue in his past sinful ways. He concludes to ask God to distance himself from "Hebrat Kat HaSefoni," those who go after their YeSser HaRa' as alluded to in Joel 2:20 (according to Talmudic interpretation). The melody of this pizmon is taken from the Arabic "Ya Fareed El Hosn Ashaq Gamalak,' and it can be transposed to Shav'at Aniyim exactly one day a year, on Yom Kippur alone. G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
Arabic: Ya Farid
G Shrem- including Qaddish
G Shrem
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - SA
Moshe Dwek - SA
שועת עניים
576 479 אב הרחמים
577 480 שלח סגני ידידי Moses Ashear “Shelah Segani Yedidi” (HIJAZ, page 480), which uses the Arabic melody “Abat Selami Ma’ Sidi,” is composed by H Rephael Tabbush. It has references to Pinehas, the hero who initiates the campaign to avenge God’s honor in Numbers 25. This song is used for the PIZMON SEFER TORAH on Shabbat Pinehas. In this 3 stanza poem, with the acrostic: Shadai (שד״י), we request God “to send a helper” like “the Son of Elazar” (Pinehas) so that “we may bring the tithe (Ma’aser)” to the City (Jerusalem) on the festivals. At times we ask “Why did God leave me?” We are confident, though, that God, “from up above” (north), will send His “right hand” person to “re-establish us,” and “reveal his kindness all around us.” The song concludes with a hope for redemption, with the acknowledgement that I (the author) “am Your servant,” and with the prayer for God to always have mercy on His beloved nation. This melody can fit into Nishmat or El Hahodaot, but it is rarely used, because the "Maqam of the Week" for Shabbat Pinehas is SABA, not HIJAZ. Ashear Manuscript David Sebi
Arabic
Recording
D Kassin - Nishmat
פזמון
578 480 יה נרי יה M. Mustachi
M. Mustachi 2
579 481 אתה רוממה אתה Tabbush Manuscript I. Cabasso
I. Cabasso 2
שמחים
580 482 רודף צדק ומשכיל Raphael Tabbush Shabbat Vayehi. Tabbush Manuscript I. Cabasso
Recording
ממצרים
580.01 482a יחיד ורם Recording
Isaac Cabasso
581 483 יה אלי נהלל לו Shabbat Shirah. Found in Pizmonim book of 1856. Attiah Manuscript Abraham Sitehon Manuscript I. Dayan
שועת עניים
582 483 יחיד נא קבץ לעדה Raphael Tabbush This pizmon (HIJAZ, page 483), which translates as “Singular One, Please Gather the Congregation,” is a short song of personal petition to God. It’s author is H Raphael Antebi Tabbush and the acrostic of this song is “Raphael” (רפאל). There are four rhyming stanzas in this song, and one repeating chorus. The melody of this pizmon is from the Arabic song “Al Heena Al Heena,” and it can be transposed into the prayer piece EL HAHODAOT on days when the prayers are conducted in Maqam HIJAZ. In the first stanza (ר), the author requests that God satisfy his thirst and provide the blessings of the world to his body and his soul so that he can use these blessings to elevate God’s holy name. In the second verse (פ), the author asks for God to show him the redemption, the gathering of the exiles, and the rebuilding of the Temple; something more valuable than any treasure. In the third stanza (א), the author says that the relationship with God is the light of his eye, and that he awaits the time when God shows His “face”; meaning, a more direct interaction, where God delivers His people from servitude to freedom. The last verse (ל) concludes with words of praise that will be sung in the month of Nissan, the month of our future redemption, when all the redeemed people will show their gratitude for all of God’s kindness. Tabbush Manuscript M. Nadaf
G. Shrem
Recording
Y Nahari
אל ההודאות
583 484 מהונך תעשר Tabbush Manuscript M. Nadaf
E. Menaged
G. Shrem
Recording
584 484 אתוהי כמה רברבין Raphael Tabbush This pizmon (HIJAZ, page 484), whose title translates as "How Great Are His Signs," is written by H Raphael Tabbush. This song is unique in that it is one of our shortest pizmonim (only 20 words; 10 words in each of the two stanzas), and it is one of the only ones to be written in Aramaic. The melody is from the Arabic song "Ahwa Al-Ghazal Al Rabrabi," and can be transcribed into Nishmat or Naqdishakh. The opening words of this song are based on Daniel 3:33. After seeing how God saves Hanania, Mishael, and Azaria from the burning furnace, Nebuchadnessar praises God, 'How great are His signs! How mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is everlasting, and His dominion is over every generation!' The first stanza describes how God's glory is displayed through His miraculous signs. Although both Israel and the angels sing praises to God, it is Israel that God favors, because according to the Talmud (TB Hullin 91b), the angels only start praising God in the Heavens once Israel initiates the praises down on Earth. M. Nadaf
E. Menaged
E. Menaged 2
E. Menaged 3
Recording
I Cabasso - Nishmat
1979 Choir
Moshe Dwek
S Antebi- Shav'at
נשמת
585 485 רוכב עבים ומהלך Raphael Tabbush This pizmon (HIJAZ, page 485), whose title is translated as "Driver of Clouds," is a song about God's role in controlling nature. This song is composed by H Raphael Antebi Tabbush, and the acrostic "Raphael" is spelled in the song's 4 stanzas. The beginning of the song introduces the concept of God being 'the Driver of clouds' and 'Controller of wind' (see Psalms 104, Isaiah 19:1, and Exodus 15:22); meaning the 'gatekeeper' of most precious resource in the world: rain. With rain, the second stanza says that the desert can bloom, and the land can become paradise (like the Garden of Eden). The words "Masheeb Ruah U'Moreed Gesem," the traditional Jewish prayer for rain, is also alluded to in the second stanza. Acknowledging that God is the master of all nature, the third stanza pleads to the Almighty to use this strength to help and protect the Jewish nation and redeem them so that they will celebrate this in the Temple. The author concludes with a prayer to help renew and invigorate him so that he, too, can partake in the upcoming redemption. The melody of this song can be applied to Shav'at Aniyim on weeks when Maqam HIJAZ is applied, and the song is traditionally sung as the PIZMON SEFER TORAH on the Shemini Asseret festival, because this is the first day of the year that Jews start to pray for rain in the Amida prayer. E. Menaged
G. Shrem
Recording
I Cabasso
H Abraham Zafrani
שועת עניים
586 485 יה גאלי צרים Tabbush Manuscript G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
H Abraham Zafrani
587 486 אם חכם לבך בני Abraham I Antebi The pizmon, "Eem Hakham" (HIJAZ, page 486), is composed by H Abraham Isaac Antebi (1765-1858), the former Chief Rabbi of Aleppo (starting 1817), and composer of many pizmonim. This pizmon is first found in his book "Ohel Yesharim," published in 1843, and has been included in most handwritten manuscripts of this time period. Many of Antebi's books had the word "Ohel" in it, because this Rabbi witnessed a massive earthquake in Aleppo causing most of the city to become refugees and live in tents ("ohel"). The content of this pizmon is a letter from a father to his son (on his wedding day) asking him to follow his advice on how he should live his life and bestowing him with the many blessings of Abraham and Isaac. This father tells his son that while he should always pursue wisdom and sciences, he should always "know" the God of his forefathers. The melody of this pizmon is from the Arabic song "Ya Sukri Yabu il Shemat." This melody can be applied to El Hahodaot on weeks of Maqam HIJAZ. Attiah Manuscript Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript British Library Or. 10375 G. Shrem
Recording
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Nishmat
קדיש
588 487 עליון על כל רמים Shabbat Hazon. Ezra Attia Manuscript Abraham Sitehon Manuscript G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
נשמת
589 488 עליון ונאדר E. Menaged
E. Menaged 2
E. Menaged 3
כתר
590 488 אור הנעלם א''ב Tabbush Manuscript E. Menaged
Another Recording - Hahodaot
G. Shrem
I Cabasso- Pizmon & EH
כתר
591 490 שמח נפשי שלמה חזק This pizmon (HIJAZ, page 490), whose opening words can be translated as “My Soul Will Rejoice,” is one of the most popular pizmonim known in the Syrian Jewish tradition. In Shabbat morning services, whenever its joyous melody is transposed to Mimisrayim, it seems to bring immense happiness to the crowd. The melody of this is from the Arabic song “Qadokh Al Mayas” and over the years, a number of Hebrew pizmonim have been composed to fit into this great melody (i.e. ‘Elekha Kama Besari’ and ‘Niflaot Nissim’ are other Hebrew pizmonim written to the same melody). The Hebrew pizmon “Samah Nafshi” is the version of the song that has survived in part due to its inclusion in the important book “Shir Ushbaha” by H Raphael Cohen (1922). The author of the song is unknown, but the acrostic of the song suggests that it was written either by or in honor of a “Shelomo” (שלמה חזק). In its 5 rhyming stanzas, the author exclaims that his soul will rejoice if the following prayers are answered: solving all troubles of the Jewish people, a returning of Israel to the status it had during the days of King Solomon, the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem as well as the entire Land of Israel, and ultimately, the announcement of a redeemer by Eliahou HaNavi that the Messianic age has arrived. Fule Yanani
E. Menaged
Elekha Kamah- E. Menaged
G. Shrem
Recording
I Cabasso- SA
Shelomo Tob Cohen
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Mimisrayim
ממצרים
592 490 ראה בחלשי Raphael Tabbush E. Menaged
593 491 ישיר ישראל Israel Najara Maqam Shehnaz G. Shrem
G. Shrem
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 E. Menaged
Yosef Hamaoui
Yosef Hamaoui - Qedusha
Fule Yanani
Tawil- Qedusha
G. Shrem
Recording
Y Nahari
M Kairey
Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh
נקדישך
595 493 בואו נספר Hoshana Raba. Yabess Manuscript A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
Moshe Dwek - HM
596 494 מרומי ברך לחברת ק"ק מגן דוד Moses Ashear This pizmon (HIJAZ, page 494), whose title can be translated as “From Above, Send Blessing to the Group, the Holy Congregation of Magen David,” is a song written in honor of Congregation Magen David of 67th Street in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. It was composed by the community’s chief cantor, H Moshe Ashear (1877-1940), for the inauguration of the synagogue in December 1921. In addition to the repeating chorus, there are three stanzas to this song, and the acrostic spells out “Moshe Hai” (משה חי). The melody of this song is said to be from an “English opera,” but no definite identification of this melody is known to us. The melody of this song can be transposed into SEMEHIM BESSETAM on days when the services are conducted in Maqam HIJAZ. The content of this song praises the community for their hard work, day and night, especially when taking care of one another. The song blesses the members of this community that God should repay their hard work with success and prosperity. They should be numerous like the stars in the sky, and all groups, from youngest to oldest, should be included in this blessing. In the second stanza, it petitions God to bestow the people with the blessing of the forefathers, redeem them, and “like the times of old, renew their days” (a reference to the closing verses of Megillat Eikha). Just like the waves completely cover and overwhelm the ocean, so too shall peace and happiness completely cover the tents (homes) of all the members of this community. The song concludes by saying that this community, together with the angels, praise God's generosity and proclaim the biblical verse "Barukh Hashem LeOlam," meaning: Blessed be God for all of eternity. G. Shrem
שמחים
597 495 מושיעי יה Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript Arabic
598 496 יה לגני בא נא יה Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript G. Shrem
Isaac Cabasso- Nishmat
599 497 יחלתי צורי לעבדך Moses Ashear The Arabic is a DOR entitled G'alt Higri. Here it is sung by Mohamed Salim. Ashear Manuscript Mohamed Salim
600 497 יחיד מלך נאמן Moses Ashear Wedding. Ashear Manuscript M. Nadaf
M. Nadaf 2
שמחים
602 498 מהר חביבי רחמני Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript G. Shrem
Y. Bozo - Different pizmon same tune
G. Shrem
Arabic: Howa Habibi Yewafaqni
Isaac Cabasso
I Cabasso- Nishmat
Maury Blanco
נשמת
603 499 שיר אל אגידה Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript F Samra
Arabic
604 500 אספר שמך Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript G. Shrem
605 501 אל השב Moses Ashear Same melody as page 491. Ashear Manuscript E. Menaged- Full Shaharit
Isaac Cabasso
605.5 502a מול אלי וגודלו NLevy Saul Nobeh Betesh
G. Shrem
Recording
I Cabasso- Semehim
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - EH
606 502a מרום דר מעונה Moses Ashear G. Shrem
607 503 מלכי עזור יה Moses Ashear Arabic
Maury Blanco
608 503 יאתה לאל הגדלה Moses Ashear Wedding of Joseph Moshe Ashear. Nisan 1931. Leaflet
609 504 אנא רפא לחבלי Moses Ashear Wedding of Joseph Moshe Ashear. Nisan 1931. Leaflet
610 506 נדה אני Moses Ashear Bar Misvah of Shaul Abraham Houssni. January 1938. Leaflet Arabic
G. Shrem
S Antebi
I Cabasso - Qaddish
קדיש
611 507 עדתך אסף יה אבא Ezra Mishaniye Bar Misvah of Shaul Sammy Haddad. May 25, 1950. Leaflet F Samra
611.01 509 אנא אלי נאמן J. Mosseri
Y. Bozo
Recording
Recording
Naftali Tawil- Qedusha
I Cabasso- Qaddish
Shabetai Laniado- Naqdishakh
611.1 514i יום וליל Maqam Shehnaz About the spliting of the Red Sea. Appropriate for Seventh Day of Pesah. G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
Isaac Cabasso
611.2 509s היום עלה לגני S. Salem
S. Salem 2
Y. Bozo
Amos Dodi
Recording
611.3 509c כנר על הגג Melody from Fiddler on the Roof. J. Mosseri
M. Nadaf
Moshe Dwek - HM
611.4 509l יה אוחיל לך Recording
612 510 אליכם קהל עדה Aharon Eliahou The theme of this poem (HIJAZ, page 510) is the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aharon, who died on Inauguration Day of the Mishkan. The author is H Aharon Eliahou seen by the acrostic is “Aharon Hazaq” (אהרן חזק). There are seven stanzas in the original poem, all ending with the words “Benei Aharon,” with an extra stanza added by H Ezra Hamway (1859-1945), Chief Judge (Ab Beit Din) of Aleppo. The loss of Nadab and Abihu is viewed as a tragedy and this emotional poem is meant to cause us to cry and repent. The Zohar says (Vayiqra; OH, 621), that whoever grieves over these deaths, his sins will be forgiven, and he will not lose a child in his lifetime. In Aleppo custom, this poem appears in "Siddur Beit Kaporet” with instructions of singing this on Yom Kippur morning before the Torah reading. In addition, this melody is applied to "Semehim" on Kippur morning. Although “Ahare Mot” is referred to in this poem, one must refrain from using this melody on Shabbat Ahare Mot. Handwritten Manuscript G. Shrem
Recording
Recording- Semehim
G Shrem- including Semehim
Moshe Dwek - Semehim
Moshe Dwek - Semehim
שמחים
612.01 509f יחיד ורם איובי לכד אולמי Haim S Aboud Arabic melody is "Ya Atafta." Y. Bozo
Recording
D Binker-Duek
D Binker-Duek: El Hahodaot
אל ההודאות
612.1 Bilbul Nagah Al LaShata Nil Popular Arabic melody. G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Moshe Dwek - Qaddish
Moshe Dwek - Semehim
אל ההודאות
612.2 Konte Fein Recording of the Great Saleh Abd ElHai singing Konte Fein Wel Hobb Fein, from 1923. The Maqam is Hijazkar. Ashear used for Mosaei Shabbat Hazon. Arabic
Arabic: Konte Fein
קדיש
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