June 7, 2023 ~ BEHAALOTEKHA SIGAH
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.
| Pizmon | Page | Song | Commentary | Recordings | 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 211 | 170 | רחם על עם ידידים | Raphael Tabbush Maqam Mahwarna Hamaoui Manuscript British Library Or. 10375 British Library Or. 10375 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 218 | 174 | רוח נכון יה חדש לי | Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript |
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| 219 | 175 | אל יוצר העולמות | א''ב Tabbush Manuscript |
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| 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 |
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| 222 | 177 | רוזני חי אתה וגאוני | Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript |
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| 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 |
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| 226 | 178 | אל חי ורם | Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 237 | 188 | מתי יפרח עם הנאמן | Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 245 | 194 | יה שוכני סנה | Moses Ashear Esses. Ashear Manuscript |
S. Hassoun Recording |
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| 246 | 194 | יה שוכן זבול | Moses Ashear Sutton. Ashear Manuscript |
I. Cabasso I. Cabasso 2 |
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| 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 |
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| 248 | 196 | הלל יה עם ישראל | Moses Ashear Hatan Yehezqel Haim Shalom. Tishri 1929. Leaflet |
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| 249 | 197 | מי ימלל גבורות אל | Moses Ashear Bar Misvah of Bechor Shelomo Schwecky. August 18, 1936. Leaflet |
Arabic: Yalli Chagak Elanine |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 254.3 | 203c | ראו כמה גדולה | Wedding of Bobby (Elliot) and Elaine Dweck; November 1992. |
Y Shitrit |
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| 254.5 | 204a | יום זה ישיר ירון | Raphael Yair Elnadav Bar Misvah of Morris Mickey Abraham. 1981. Photograph of Morris Mickey Abraham |
R. Elnadav |
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| 254.6 | 204c | הודו לה' כי טוב | Bar Misvah of Eddie Sitt, grandson of Mr Ralph Tawil. 1982. |
Pizmon Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Nishmat |
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| 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 |
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| 4873 | שיר ההודאות | SUHV page 204-G. Pizmon by Dr Albert Matalon in honor of the Hanukkah festival. |
 Albert Matalon Children |
