March 18, 2024 ~ VAYIQRA + ZAKHOR. SIGAH.

Ajam - عجم

Introduction

עג'אם /  עג'ם - This maqam originated and is named after Persia (Iran), which translates to Ajam in Arabic.

Ajam means "foreigner" in Arabic... Typically referring to the Persians.

 Ajam is the Arabic equivalent of the Western Major scale.

 This maqam is linked with festivity and joy, and therefore, it contains many pizmonim that are associated with holidays and weddings.

Ajam trichord: starting on B.

Index of Pizmonim

Pizmon Page Song CommentaryRecordings Application
201 165 ישא ברכה Raphael Tabbush This pizmon (AJAM, page 165) is composed by H Raphael Antebi Tabbush in honor of the installation of Rabbi Yaaqob Shaul Elyashar (Safed, 1817- Jerusalem, 1906) as the new Rishon LeSion (Sephardic Chief Rabbi) in 1893. The debut of this special song took place at the Rabbi Yohanan Ben Zakai synagogue in the Old City of Jerusalem by two choirs of boys (one from the Talmud Torah Doresh Zion and the other from the yeshiva Tiferet Yerushalayim) under the direction of H Raphael Tabbush. At the end of the performance, the Chief Rabbi thanked H Tabbush greatly and as a token of his gratitude, gave him 3 napoleon gold coins; hence the song became referred to as the "Golden Song". The title of this song "Yisa Berakha" refers to the abbreviation of Rabbi Elyashar's name (יש״א), and the acrostic of the four stanzas of this song is Yaaqob (יעקב); a reference to his first name. The melody of this song can be applied to Nishmat on weeks of Maqam AJAM, and is specifically associated with Shabbat Shofetim due to the Deuteronomy 17:20 reference of "Ya'arikh Yamim Al Mamlakhto" (translated as "long days for his reign") in the second stanza of the song. Tabbush Manuscript I. Cabasso- Nishmat
Yosef Hamaoui
G. Shrem
Recording
Moshe Habusha
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Nishmat
Moshe Dwek - Qaddish
Moshe Dwek - Qaddish
נשמת
201.01 165a את יפה הראיני
202 166 מעוז צור "Maoz Sur Yeshuati" (AJAM, page 166), a piece from the 13th century Eastern Europe, is considered the most famous Jewish hymns for the festival of Hanukkah. The name of the song, meaning "Strong Rock, My Salvation," is a reference to God, and the song, throughout its 6 stanzas (acrostic: מרדכי חזק), recounts the many times that God saved the Jewish people. The hymn retells Jewish history in poetic form and celebrates deliverance from four ancient enemies, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Haman, and Antiochus. In the first stanza, it says that God saved us during the times when the enemies are about to slaughter us, and this is when we rededicated the altar, a reference to the festival Hanukkah. The melody of this piece, according to Cantor Birnbaum of Konigsberg, is adapted from the old German folk-song "So weiss ich eins," and has been widely spread among German Jews as early as 1450. It has become tradition to sing the first verse of this song after lighting the Hanukkah candles. M Kairey
G. Shrem
Recording
Knis Ades- Rau Banim
Eliahu Saal- Qaddish
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek
כתר
203 167 שיר אגיד Alludes to the ten sefirot that God used to create the world. Tabbush Manuscript Yosef Hamaoui
Yosef Hamaoui - Qaddish
Y. Bozo
G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
Eliahu Saal- Qaddish
Moshe Dwek
שמחים
204 168 אל בנה יה Hayim Eliyahou
ממצרים
205 168 מלך רחמן Raphael Tabbush Melekh Rahman (AJAM, page 168), or "Merciful King," is considered the ultimate wedding song. It was composed in Aleppo, circa 1897, by H Raphael Tabbush (d. 1918), for his close student, H Moshe Ashear (d. 1940), in honor of his wedding to Salha, the daughter of Mr Yaaqob Shamah. The acrostic is "Moshe" and names of family members (Moshe, Yaaqob, Shaol, Simha, Shelomo) are alluded to. The melody is from the Arabic song "Doom Ya Zaman." There are three stanzas in this song. The first two stanzas are from the point of view of the community; asking God to save the nation, and also to join in the happiness of the Hatan and Kallah on their wedding day. The third stanza, however, is from the view of the Hatan; asking to be blessed with the Blessing of Abraham. For Shabbat Vayesse, this melody can be applied in the prayers for Nishmat. The pizmon can be associated with this perasha, because we read about Jacob's wedding. Moshe Ashear and Family Manuscript M Kairey
E. Menaged
Yosef Hamaoui
Fule Yanani
SCC Choir
G. Shrem
Recording
Eliahu Saal- Qaddish
Charlie Chehebar- Naqdishakh
Recording
Moshe Habusha
Moshe Dwek
נשמת
206 169 לעם חביב Maqam Sasgar Arabic: Sayed El Safti singing "Bid'i il Habib" in Maqam Geharka. Hamaoui Manuscript Yosef Hamaoui
M Tawil
I. Cabasso
Kaddish
E. Menaged
E. Menaged 2
Y. Bozo
Recording
E Sayegh
Maury Blanco
קדיש
207 169 יחיד מגן Raphael Tabbush Maqam Girkah Tabbush Manuscript I. Ceezar
Fule Yanani
Y. Bozo
Recording
Qaddish
H Abraham Zafrani
D Binker-Duek- Qaddish
208 169 איברי יאמרו הב Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript I. Cabasso- Nishmat
G. Shrem
G. Shrem
I Cabasso- Opening & Nishmat
G Shrem- Nishmat
Moshe Dwek
נשמת
209 170 היום רפא לעם נלבב Raphael Tabbush Maqam Sasgar Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript Arabic
I Cabasso- Qaddish 1
I Cabasso- Qaddish 2
Maury Blanco
קדיש
210 170 בעיר חמדה Raphael Tabbush
211 170 רחם על עם ידידים Raphael Tabbush Maqam Mahwarna Hamaoui Manuscript British Library Or. 10375 British Library Or. 10375
212 171 מקדש בנה בו Shabbat Teruma or Vayaqhel. About building of the temple. Tabbush Manuscript G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
Arabic
Moshe Dwek
פזמון
213 171 הללו אל יה Raphael Tabbush Maqam Sasgar Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript G. Shrem
Recording
Recording
H Abraham Zafrani
Moshe Dwek
214 172 אני לקראת Raphael Tabbush Engagement or Wedding. Manuscript Yosef Hamaoui
I. Cabasso
G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
Eliahu Saal- Qaddish
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Mimisrayim
Moshe Dwek - Rau Banim
ממצרים
215 173 מקהלות עם Mordechai Abadi 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
216 173 יחיד רם שוכן בשחק Gabi Falak
I Cabasso - Halleluya
Moshe Dwek - Halleluya
217 174 בקול רנה וצהלה Raphael Tabbush For a wedding. Same melody of the pizmon "Kabir Koah." Melody that we have for this song is from the notes of Idelsohn, 1923. Tabbush Manuscript A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 Leslie Grazi
M Faiena
Recording
DMB Wedding
G Shrem - Naqdishakh
218 174 רוח נכון יה חדש לי Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript
219 175 אל יוצר העולמות א''ב Tabbush Manuscript
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
221 176 אלה אלה הבה Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript G. Shrem
Recording
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - HM
ה' מלך
221.01 176a סוכה ולולב Sukkot. There are many melodies to this pizmon; including Maqam Ajam and Saba. J. Mosseri
Recording
Recording
Iraqi Recording
222 177 רוזני חי אתה וגאוני Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript
223 177 חי ורם חיש לעמך צירם חי Rast or Ajam. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript שמחים
224 177 ינון שמו Matan Torah. Tabbush Manuscript G. Shrem
Yosef Hamaoui
I. Cabasso
G. Shrem
Recording
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - SA
שועת עניים
225 178 לבית אל אבא בחבה Raphael Tabbush DMB
D Kassin - EH
226 178 אל חי ורם Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript
227 179 רועה נאמן הוא Raphael Tabbush The pizmon "Ro'eh Ne'eman Hu" (AJAM, page 179), translated as "Faithful Shepherd Is He," is a song associated with the festival of Shabuot. It is composed by H Rephael Antebi Tabbush (d. Cairo, 1918), and the acrostic of his name, "Raphael," is spelled out in the song's four stanzas. The melody of this pizmon is adapted from "Salam Affandina" (translated as "Salute of our Lord"); a melody composed by Giuseppe Pugioli. This melody is well known because it was Egypt's national anthem from 1871-1958. The theme of the pizmon is about receiving of the Torah and the importance of it. In the last stanza of this pizmon, it says "Learn from it (the Torah) day by day, and all your days, you will find peace." The song concludes by saying that the way of the Torah will "save you from troubles and your words [of prayer] will be listened to by God." According to the Hazzanut notes of H Moshe Ashear, this pizmon is traditionally used as the PIZMON SEFER TORAH on the first day of Shabuot. Tabbush Manuscript G. Shrem
Fule Yanani
I. Cabasso - Qaddish
G. Shrem
Recording
I Cabasso
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Qaddish
Moshe Dwek - Qaddish
כתר
228 179 אל רמה ימינך Raphael Tabbush Hatan Me'Onah. Tabbush Manuscript Yom Tob Yanani
David Sebi
Recording
שועת עניים
229 180 אל רם ארנן Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript M Kairey
Fule Yanani
Recording
230 180 ראה ה' כי צר לי Raphael Tabbush This pizmon (AJAM, page 180), whose first words translate as "Observe, God, For I am in Anguish," is designated for Shabbat Nahamu, which is the Shabbat following Tisha B'Ab. The acrostic of this four stanza piece, רפאל, symbolizes that its author is H Raphael Antebi Tabbush (d. 1918). The theme of the first three stanzas is about how much the author, written in first person, and his people, the Jewish people, have suffered from the enemies rising in destruction and murder, vandalizing the Temple, exiling the people from their place, and leaving the city of Jerusalem 'abandoned like a widow' (a reference from Ekha 1:1). The last stanza, however, concludes on a hopeful note with God speaking back to the author saying: "For the sake of My holy name, I will build for them a house for My dwelling, 'Comfort, O Comfort, My Nation!' (a reference from Isaiah 40:1), I will redeem you! This is the year!" The melody of this song can be applied to Keter (in Musaf). Fule Yanani
כתר
231 181 שמך יתרומם Raphael Tabbush Hamaoui Manuscript M Kairey
Moshe Diib Laniado
Y. Bozo
G. Shrem
Recording
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - HM
ממצרים
232 181 צורי גואלי יה ישראל בר משה Written by R Israel Najara. Attiah Manuscript Yabess Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript I. Dayan
Iraqi Recording
נקדישך
234 186 מי יספר חסדי האל Moses Ashear Hedaya. Alludes to the Ten Sefirot that God used to create the world. It's melody is taken from the 1888 Princeton University song called "The Orange and the Blue." Ashear Manuscript Leaflet I. Cabasso
E. Menaged
E. Menaged 2
G. Shrem
נשמת
235 187 מי זאת הנשקפה Moses Ashear Its melody is taken from the Neapolitan song "Santa Lucia", by Teodoro Cottrau, Written in honor of the birth of a baby girl. The text begins with a paraphrase of Song of Songs 6:10: "Who is she that shines through like dawn, tired. She is radiant and beautiful, the pleasing daughter of Zion." Written for Hebrat Qadimah which was a Zionistic society as the words of the song clearly indicate and not a community synagogue. Ashear wrote this song before 1928. Ashear Manuscript I. Cabasso
M. Nadaf
שמחים
236 188 מרומם על כל רם Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript
237 188 מתי יפרח עם הנאמן Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript E Mamiye
Arabic
Arabic
238 189 מפעלות אלהים חזו Moses Ashear Sam Franco. PS 62 song. Ashear Manuscript Yosef Hamaoui
Y Hamaoui - Keter
Y Hamaoui- El Hahodaot
G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - EH
Moshe Dwek - Rau Banim
אל ההודאות
239 189 מלאכי מרום Moses Ashear Wedding of Isaac and Fortunee Betesh. German melody. Ashear Manuscript Photograph of Isaac S Betesh and Fortunee Antebi I. Cabasso
I. Cabasso 2
DMB- Wedding of Lauren and Joey Abadi (Sept 2011)
Nahari- Shavat
I Cabasso- SA
שועת עניים
240 190 מה נורא מעשיך Moses Ashear Sam Franco. Ashear Manuscript I. Cabasso
אל ההודאות
241 191 מקדם אזכיר נפלאות Moses Ashear Intro music to the next song. Ashear Manuscript DMB
242 191 כל עת אליך Moses Ashear Naftali Tawil. Arabic is: "Tilet Yamahla Nourha". Ashear Manuscript I. Cabasso - Semehim
Yosef Hamaoui
Arabic
Y. Bozo
G. Shrem
Recording
I Cabasso- Semehim
שמחים
243 193 אני בפי אביע Moses Ashear Mizrachi. Ashear Manuscript I. Cabasso - Nishmat
G. Shrem
שמחים
244 193 בקול רנה גילה וצהלה Moses Ashear Wedding song. Ashear Manuscript G. Shrem
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek
245 194 יה שוכני סנה Moses Ashear Esses. Ashear Manuscript S. Hassoun
Recording
246 194 יה שוכן זבול Moses Ashear Sutton. Ashear Manuscript I. Cabasso
I. Cabasso 2
247 195 מה יפית ומה נעמת Moses Ashear Written for Hebrat Qahal Qadosh Magen David. Tune is "The Star Spangled Banner." Written by Ashear pre 1928. I. Cabasso
248 196 הלל יה עם ישראל Moses Ashear Hatan Yehezqel Haim Shalom. Tishri 1929. Leaflet
249 197 מי ימלל גבורות אל Moses Ashear Bar Misvah of Bechor Shelomo Schwecky. August 18, 1936. Leaflet Arabic: Yalli Chagak Elanine
250 199 אל מול דביר אשתחוה Moses Ashear Wedding of Abraham Moshe Cohen; April 2, 1940. Abdel Wahab song is called "Yadi El Na3eem". Leaflet M. Nadaf
M. Nadaf 2
Arabic
1
Recording
Recording
קדיש
251 200 אתה צורי Moses Ashear Wedding of Saul Sedaqa Ashkenazi; January 21, 1934. Melody of Syrian National anthem. Leaflet M. Nadaf
252 202 שירו שירה חדשה Ezekiel Hai Albeg The pizmon "Shiru Shira Hadasha" (AJAM, page 202), translated as "Sing A New Song," is a very unique song in our tradition. The melody of this pizmon is from the 1918 American patriotic song “God Bless America” by Irving Berlin. This pizmon is composed by the master poet, Cantor Ezekiel Hai Albeg (1910-1995), in honor of the spiritual leader, H Mordekhai (Mourad) Tarab Maslaton (Damascus, 1876 - New York, 1959), at the inauguration of Congregation Ahi Ezer (2165 71st Street in Bensonhurst) on Sunday, April 8, 1951 (2 Nisan, 5711). Ahi Ezer is a congregation founded by Jews of Damascus origin. H Mourad Maslaton served as Rabbi and Hazzan Sefer Torah from 1920 until his passing in 1959. In this two stanza song commemorating the inauguration of a new building, we “sing a new song to the One who resides in the heavens” and who “listens to our cries.” We also pray for God to “bless our community (“Qahal”) with long lives.” The use of this melody for their inauguration of their building is a testament to this community's patriotism and their love for America; a country that took them in with open arms and a country that they fought for in World War II. Congregation Ahi Ezer M. Nadaf
253 202 מלכי אתה פודי Murad Maslaton Bar Misvah of Sion Maslaton. J. Mosseri
G. Shrem
I Cabasso - Keter
Moshe Dwek
כתר
254 203 יאריך ימים על ממלכתו ישראל בן משה Shabbat Shofetim, because it mentions the blessing of longevity for a new king. Attiah Manuscript Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript E. Sayegh
E. Menaged
E. Menaged 2
M. Nadaf
I. Cabasso - Nishmat
I. Cabasso - Nishmat 2
Isaac Cabasso- Nishmat- 3
G Shrem- Nishmat
נשמת
254.1 203a רנו שיר הלל Rabbi Harold Sutton's wedding song. Composed by Rabbi Shimon H Alouf. Recording
Eliahu Saal- Qaddish
Yehezqel Sion
254.2 203b שם יה עליך Written for the Bar Misvah of Joey Sutton, son of Sheffy and Victor Sutton; 1995. Recording
Eliahu Saal- Qaddish
Recording
254.3 203c ראו כמה גדולה Wedding of Bobby (Elliot) and Elaine Dweck; November 1992. Y Shitrit
254.5 204a יום זה ישיר ירון Raphael Yair Elnadav Bar Misvah of Morris Mickey Abraham. 1981. Photograph of Morris Mickey Abraham R. Elnadav
254.6 204c הודו לה' כי טוב Bar Misvah of Eddie Sitt, grandson of Mr Ralph Tawil. 1982. Pizmon
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Nishmat
254.7 204e רמ"ח אברי "The Wheat Song." Bar Misvah of Moe Abraham Tawil (May 23, 1982). Tawil & Cabasso
Saul Nobeh Betesh
Recording
Eliahu Saal- Qaddish
Moshe Dwek
4873 שיר ההודאות SUHV page 204-G. Pizmon by Dr Albert Matalon in honor of the Hanukkah festival. Albert Matalon Children
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