Shabbat Behar- בהר

2013- When Behar-Behuqotai are combined (Leviticus 25:1-27:34), there are many opinions for Maqam of the Week. (1) Maqam Nawah, as per most sources, because the perasha begins with discussing the Shemita (Sabbatical rest year), and Nawah is the maqam reserved for Qaballat Shabbat. Also Nawah is typically applied for the last perasha of a Humash. (2) Maqam Nahwand to commemorate Yom Yerushalayim (celebrating Israel's victory in the Six Day War). Some will only switch to Nahwand to transpose "Yerushalayim Shel Zahav" for one of the prayer pieces. Other opinions for this week include: Maqam (3) MAHOUR or (4) SABA. ALIYOT: The curses (26:14-26:46) are read in the seventh aliyah. The Torah Reader or the Shamosh customarily volunteer to receive this aliyah and it is chanted in a softer, but audible, tone. MISHMARA: Tractates Shevi'it & Arachin (Sephardic Pizmonim Project, www.pizmonim.com).

2011- For Shabbat Behar, there are a number of opinions for which maqam to apply. Saba may be an option, because there is a multitude of misvot in Behar, and this symbolizes covenant (berit). Nawah may be an option, because Nawah is the maqam for Qaballat Shabbat, and Behar starts off with the concept of working the land for six years and allowing it to rest on the Sabbatical year (Shemita is similar to Shabbat). Maqam Nawah is the opinion of H. Moshe Ashear.