March 18, 2024 ~ VAYIQRA + ZAKHOR. SIGAH.

Saba - صبا

Introduction

The Arabic word Sabi means baby boy, and this is why Maqam Saba - צבא  -  is used for the Berit Milah (circumcision). Saba is used for Torah portions that contain either births, covenants (berit), a multitude of laws, or the reference to an army (Hebrew: Saba).

 The Jews of Damascus use this maqam to express sad events.

Saba tetrachord: starting on D

Index of Pizmonim

Pizmon Page Song CommentaryRecordings Application
452 375 עליון רם גדול Ezra Attia Manuscript British Library Or. 10375 E. Menaged
I. Cabasso- Qaddish
I Cabasso
Isaac Cabasso- Nishmat
Moshe Dwek
נשמת
453 376 יהלל לאל נורא Raphael Tabbush Acrostic 'Yizhak'. Tabbush Manuscript E. Menaged
G. Shrem
E. Sayegh
Fule Yanani
Sion
Recording
Iraqi- Maqam Saba
Nahari- Nishmat
Charlie Chehebar- Nishmat
DMB - Se Fezura - Naqdishakh
נשמת
454 377 לעם אביר Raphael Tabbush The original Arabic song (Adak Amir) was sung by Abdel Hai Hilmi. Itamar is singing exactly based on the version sung by the nephew of Hilim, Saleh Abdel Hai Salah. The Pizmon is clearly based on the Arabic song as the syllables match exactly. This pizmon fits better in the Bayat maqam. Thanks to Joey Harari, Jerusalem. Itamar Dweck
455 378 אתה הוא יחיד Tabbush Manuscript British Library Or. 10375 נשמת
456 379 טובך לעולם Arabic of it HOBBAK YA SALAM sung by Saleh 'Abd El Hai. Hakham Moshe Ashear used it for Naqdishakh for Perashat Ki Tesse. M Tawil
Recording
D Binker-Duek - Naqdishakh
נקדישך
457 379 אל מרוב חסדך Arabic
Recording
Y Bozo - Pizmon and Qaddish
Yaaqob Bozo - Nishmat
Shabetai Laniado- Nishmat
נשמת
458 380 יחיש מבשר This pizmon (SABA, page 380), which translates as "Our Father Will Hasten the Messenger," is an important song about praying for the redemption. This song is composed by H Raphael Tabbush (d. 1918) to the Arabic melody of "Ya'ish WeYe'Shaq Qalbi". In this song, the author asks God to answer our prayers, to forgive our transgressions, to save us from our enemies who are planning acts of violence on us, and to hasten the arrival of Eliahou the Prophet who will announce the redemption of the Jewish people. Traditionally, this song is associated with the last day of a Shalosh Regalim festival (Pesah, Shabuot, Sukkot); the time when we most yearn for the redemption and the rebuilding of the Bet HaMiqdash. H Moshe Ashear applied this melody for the Qaddish of Shabbat Naso in 1937 and 1938 (the Shabbat after the Shabuot festival). In addition, Cantor Isaac J Cabasso applies this melody to Nishmat on the last day of Pesah and Shemini Asseret. M. Nadaf
I. Cabasso - Nishmat
S. Salem
M Tawil
Arabic- Sheikh Yousef El Manyalawi
I. Cabasso - Nishmat
Recording
Nissim Tawil
Shlomo Antebi - Qaddish
Moshe Dwek
Recording
נשמת
459 381 נורא תתן כח לי Tabbush Manuscript I Cabasso
R Elnadav- Qaddish
Maury Blanco
Shabetai Laniado & Qaddish
Shlomo Antebi- Qaddish
קדיש
460 381 היום על עדרי Raphael Tabbush I Cabasso
Recording
Shabetai Laniado
461 382 אדום ליי לו Raphael Tabbush Arabic
M. Mustachi
J. Mosseri
Recording
Shabetai Laniado
462 382 אל חשקי כלו Maqam Girkah Arabic
Maury Blanco
463 383 טל אל רפא Raphael Tabbush Maqam Mahour E. Sayegh
Recording
Maury Blanco
464 383 ענג למו Hayim Eliyahou
465 384 ירעד לבי ישראל בן משה Attiah Manuscript Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript Recording
466 385 יומא טבא דרבנן Yeshaya Bar Misvah. G. Shrem
Fule Yanani
Recording
R Barzani- Naqdishakh
Eliahou Ozen- El Hahodaot
D Binker-Duek
Moshe Dwek
467 385 רם אמור Raphael Tabbush Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 Fule Yanani
I. Cabasso - Nishmat
I Cabasso
Recording
I Cabasso- EH
468 386 רחום לעד Raphael Tabbush Y. Bozo
Y Bozo 2
אל ההודאות
469 386 יה עזי אתה Y Bozo
Yosef Bozo 2
S Salem
Recording
470 387 למן אתפלל למן Raphael Tabbush Hamaoui Manuscript I Cabasso
Recording
Shabetai Laniado
471 388 בנין מעוני תמהר Tabbush Manuscript I Cabasso
Recording
Shabetai Laniado
472 389 יה אודה לך יה Raphael Tabbush Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript I. Cabasso
J. Mosseri
Recording
Shabetai Laniado
Shabetai Laniado- Hashem Melekh
Shelomo Tob Cohen
שועת עניים
473 389 יה אלי צור משגבי Raphael Tabbush Shabbat Zakhor, Ki Tisa, Ki Tesse. Hamaoui Manuscript British Library Or. 10375 G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
G Shrem
Shabetai Laniado
474 391 אני לשמך מלין אחביר Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript G Shrem
I Cabasso
R Elnadav- Naqdishakh
נקדישך
475 391 ארנן לשמך Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript
476 392 אגיד אנא Arabic: "Ya Burdana". Arabic
Shabetai Laniado
F Samra
477 393 אלי תמוגג Raphael Tabbush E. Marcus
E. Menaged
Shabetai Laniado
ה' מלך
478 395 יה חנון Hayim Eliyahou
Shabetai Laniado
479 395 יה רם חיש M. Mustachi
Recording
480 396 איום גאל היום
481 397 יה אל גדול ונאדר Tu Bishvat/ Baqashot. The text of this song has nothing to do with Tu Bishvat except for the references to inviting guests to eat different fruits. The reason why this tune is used for Tu Bishvat is based on a Judeo-Arabic song with the same tune as this. Tabbush Manuscript M. Nadaf
G. Shrem
I Cabasso
שמחים
482 398 אל בורא כל נשמה
483 398 ענני יה I. Cabasso
I. Cabasso - Nishmat
נשמת
484 399 יה הוריד נא Hamaoui Manuscript G. Shrem
G. Shrem
I Cabasso
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Mimisrayim
ממצרים
485 400 אל בידו אליהו חזק "El Beyado Yado Yado," (SABA, page 400) translated as "God, with His hand, will redeem Israel his servant" is used to herald the month of Nisan, the month of redemption, and the Pesah festival. The acrostic of this song is "Eliahou Hazaq" (אליהו חזק); referring to Eliahou HaNabi, the one who will announce the redemption. The author of this song is most probably H Raphael Antebi Tabbush from Aleppo, Syria. The melody of this is from the Arabic song "Hai Kardo Kardo." Originally, there were two separate texts written for this melody; one entitled "Beyado" (not discussing the month of Nisan) and the other called "El Beyado." Eventually, the author merged the two songs into one; retaining the first stanza of the "Beyado" song (אהבתיך צור ידידי) and putting it into the holiday-oriented "El Beyado" song. This pizmon can be sung as PIZMON SEFER TORAH on the Shabbat prior to Rosh Hodesh Nisan, and the melody of this pizmon, as per H Isaac Cabasso, can be applied to Mimisrayim on Shabbat Hagadol. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript G. Shrem 2
I Cabasso
Recording
Y Nahari
I Cabasso
כתר
486 401 יה אלי הנחל לי Raphael Tabbush Should be Bayat. The Arabic of this is called "El Arsiyah" sung by Sabri Moudallal. Hamaoui Manuscript J. Mosseri
Charlie Chehebar- Qaddish
Shabetai Laniado
הללויה
487 401 תדד שנת עיני E. Menaged
488 402 רחום דל דאגי מני Raphael Tabbush E. Menaged
Moshe Diib Laniado
Arabic: Ya Daqaqitil Beini
Shabetai Laniado
כתר
489 403 קומי יונה Israel Najara E. Menaged
I. Cabasso
Iraqi Recording
490 403 אל חי ונורא Abraham Shabbat Bereshit. I. Cabasso
Fule Yanani
G. Shrem
I Cabasso
Recording
Moshe Dwek
קדיש
491 404 ערבים שבת אחים G. Shrem
I Cabasso
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - HM
Moshe Dwek - SA , BY
492 405 יהי שלום This pizmon (SABA, page 405), whose title is translated as "May Peace Be Within Our Walls," is one of the oldest Berit Milah songs to be in continuous use. A version of this song appears in Mahzor Aram Soba of 1527, the first printed prayer book of the native Aleppo Jewish community, and a different version, with the acrostic “Yehoshua Hazaq” (יהושע חזק) appears in subsequent editions in the nineteenth century. In our Red Book, we have a combination of the two versions. In this song, we are celebrating the baby boy by saying that his birth is a sign of our good fortune and a sign of our future redemption. Blessings about this baby include that he should grow up in the shadow of the Almighty, he should be active in teaching Torah, he should have a long life, and always have his table set. When he grows up, his name will be well-known and loved by God-fearing people, and they will consider him to be a leader of their generation, like Samuel the Prophet. In the newer “Yehoshua Hazaq” version, there is no reference to the Berit Milah. Instead, the last stanza (חזק) wishes for the baby to be considered very close to God; always dwelling in His midst. To add a reference to the Berit Milah, modern editions of this song remove the final stanza of the “Yehoshua Hazaq” version, and re-implement the last stanza of the original 1527 version. This last stanza of the 1527 version, beginning with the word “HaNimol” (הנמול), further blesses the baby saying that "The circumcised in his nation will live for his father and mother, and may his God be with him and with the whole House of Israel.” Mahzor Aram Soba 1560 Shire Zimrah, Algiers, 1889 SCC Choir
Fule Yanani - Different melody
M Tawil
Recording
Recording
Recording
A Mouhadeb- Sigah
Moshe Dwek
493 406 אערך מהלל ניבי אנכי דוד בן אהרון חסין חזק This pizmon (SABA, page 406), Eerokh Mahalal Nibi, is composed by the most celebrated Moroccan poet, Rabbi David b. Aharon Hasin (1727-1792). There are 19 stanzas in this long pizmon, making the acrostic: אנכי דוד בן אהרון חסין חזק. The chorus of "Likhod Hemdat Lebabi Eliyahu HaNabi,” translated as "In honor of the beloved of my heart Eliyahu the Prophet,” is repeated after each stanza. This song provides a poetic compilation of the various reasons why Eliyahu HaNabi, discussed prominently in 1 Kings, is honored. In addition, the song makes references to Midrash; saying that Eliyahu “is” [a reincarnation of] Pinehas the Priest. The main association of this pizmon is for a Berit Milah, because it is traditionally said that Eliyahu's presence is at each Milah. It is also associated with Shabbat Pinehas (or Balaq), because it is when we read about the story of Pinehas and his heroic actions. In addition, the story of Eliyahu HaNabi is read in the Haftara of this Torah portion. Yabess Manuscript J. Mosseri
Fule Yanani
Recording
Recording
Recording
Moshe Dwek
Yair Hamra- SABA version
שמחים
494 409 אהלל ואגילה Milah Tabbush Manuscript I Cabasso
Recording
Yaaqob Bozo
אל ההודאות
495 410 אתה אהובי Abraham I Antebi Ata Ahubi (SABA, page 410), translated as "You are my Beloved," is the first song heard in a young boy's life; at his Berit Milah at eight days old. Composed by the illustrious H Abraham I Antebi (1765-1858), Chief Rabbi of Aleppo, the song has the acrostic "Abraham Hazaq." Each of the 6 stanzas end with the word "Eyn," meaning eye. In the first stanza, the author thanks God for "Him giving happiness in my heart" and is comforted that "in You, I can lean." The next four stanzas refer to the Berit Milah, the covenant between God and Abraham, and allude to some of its festive rituals. The last stanza, in the original version of the song, states "Strengthen Aram Soba (Aleppo), the good city, and also the [resting] place of the master, Ezra [HaSofer], a fine pearl that the eye shall see." In later publications, in an attempt to standardize the song, this last stanza was altered to remove the references to Aleppo. This melody is applied to Naqdishakh preceding a Berit Milah as well as on Shabbat Lekh Lekha and Tazria. Attiah Manuscript Yabess Manuscript Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Shire Zimrah, Algiers, 1889 M Tawil
Fule Yanani
I Cabasso
Recording
Recording
R Barzani- Semehim
Nahari- Naqdishakh
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh
נקדישך
496 411 מה טוב מה נעים Mordechai Abadi 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
497 412 מבטן ידיד יה קדש Mordechai Abadi Milah Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Morris Elmann
Fule Yanani
A Mouhadeb
D Kassin - Mimisrayim
498 413 יחון אל צור יוסף This pizmon (SABA, page 413), whose title can be translated as "The Rock Will Find Favor," is a song associated with the Berit Milah. What makes this song unique is that it is traditionally chanted while the actual circumcision is taking place. One of the earliest versions of this song can be found in Mahzor Aram Soba (1527, 1560), and it's four stanzas spell the author's first name: Yosef (יוסף). This song is a prayer for God to find favor for this new baby boy who is about to enter His covenant; the Berit Milah circumcision that takes place on the baby's eighth day. The second stanza says that the knife will be taken to remove the baby's foreskin, and this will redeem him from any decrees of pain, danger, and trouble in life. The third stanza says that the baby will be blessed with success (like a strong lion) and wisdom (like King Solomon). The fourth and final stanza continues with a prayer that God will help this baby in merit of the blood of the Berit and will command His angels to always protect him. This melody, which is described more like a chant, cannot be applied to any of the pieces of prayers. Attiah Manuscript Mahzor Aram Soba 1527 J. Mosseri
Fule Yanani
Recording
499 414 היום גאל היום
500 414 עלובה ועזובה Raphael Tabbush
501 415 חיש משגבי Raphael Tabbush "Hish Misgabi" (SABA, page 415) is a pizmon composed by H Raphael Antebi Tabbush in honor of Purim. It has been said by Rabbi Aaron Hamaoui of Boston that H Raphael Antebi Tabbush (d. 1918) was blind in his later years, and he needed his students to assist him to walk in the shuq, market, in Syria. One day, as he was walking, he heard the catchy Arabic melody “Hisbi Rabi“ being chanted in the market place. H Tabbush then rushed home, and immediately, he dictated words to his student, H Eliahou Hamaoui, the grandfather of Rabbi Aaron Hamaoui, to fit this melody. This ended up being “Hish Misgabi”; a song in honor of Purim. This pizmon has the acrostic “Raphael Hazaq”, and has 5 stanzas (in addition to the first verse, which serves as the chorus). The melody of this pizmon can be applied to Keter or Va’ani Tefilati, but should only be applied in close proximity to Purim. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript Yosef Hamaoui
I. Cabasso
G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
I Cabasso
Recording
כתר
502 416 אוחיל יום יום Eliahu Hazzan This is a "remake" of the other song with the same title (p.345). In praise of Jerusalem and its prominent place throughout Jewish history. Both songs have the same melody. G. Shrem
I. Dayan (Alternate version)
Iraqi Recording
503 417 ידידי רועי מקימי ישראל חזק Yedidi Ro'ee Meqimi (SABA, page 417), whose acrostic is "Yisrael Hazaq," is written by H Israel Najara (1555-1625). This poem compares God to a shepherd who takes care of a flock of sheep. The sheep, mentioned at the end of each stanza, is a metaphor for the people of Israel. It is God, the shepherd, who rescues Israel, the sheep, from her enemies and who will gather a scattered people back to the Holy Land to rebuild the Temple. This relates to the Torah portion of Vayesse due to the reference in the last stanza to Genesis 29:9 when "Rachel comes out with her sheep." When Jacob is a refugee, it isn't until he spotted Rachel that he finds the hope needed to survive. On Shabbat Vayesse, the melody of this pizmon is traditionally applied to Semehim. Although SABA is not the "Maqam of the Week," the Hazzan should switch from AJAM to SABA shortly before Semehim to apply this important melody. Attiah Manuscript Yabess Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript G. Shrem
Fule Yanani
G. Shrem
Recording
Recording
R Barzani- Mimisrayim
I Cabasso - Semehim
Hebrew Pizmon
שמחים
504 418 איש אלהים קדוש הוא Ben Ish Hai Lag LaOmer. For R' Shimon Bar Yochai. Written by the "Ben Ish Hai" of Babel in the 19th century. Song is an acrostic (Aleph Bet) and has many allusions to the life of R' Shimon. Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Fule Yanani
G. Shrem
Recording
S Antebi- Pizmon
כתר
505 422 אנה אלך מרוחך ישראל Attiah Manuscript Yabess Manuscript Abraham Sitehon Manuscript G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
Recording
Agudat Dodim (Buenos Aires)- Mimisrayim
I Cabasso- Mimisrayim
I Cabasso
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Semehim
אל ההודאות
506 422 לבת מעונה Raphael Tabbush J. Mosseri
507 423 רעיה את שירי Raphael Tabbush Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript G. Shrem
508 423 עזי עזי Ezekiel Hai Albeg This pizmon (SABA, page 423), whose chorus alludes to the Song of the Sea (Exodus 15) as well as Isaiah 54, has opening words that are translated as "My Strength and My Defense is from God; You will not be put to shame or disgrace for God will comfort you". This song is composed by Cantor Ezekiel Hai Albeg as indicated by the acrostic: Yehezqel Hai. In this song, the author laments about his inability to go back to the Land of Israel due to being stuck in exile and surrounded by his enemies. The opening words in the Hebrew song "Ozi Ozi Ozi Ozi VeZimrat Ya" closely resembles the opening words in the corresponding Arabic song "Hizee Hizee Hizee Hizee Mahrumatekh." The Arabic song is by a famous Syrian Jewish singer named Rachel Samocha (1895-1955), also known as Fayrouz Al Halabiya. There are 4 stanzas in this song and a recurring chorus (Ozi Ozi). The melody of this song can be applied to El Hahodaot on weeks of Maqam SABA. This melody, as well as the pizmon itself, is said to be closely linked to Shabbat Ki Tesse due to the words of consolation "Lo Teboshi Lo Tikalmi" from that weeks Haftarah portion (Isaiah 54:4). G. Shrem
G. Shrem
Recording
R Barzani- Hahodaot
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - EH
אל ההודאות
508.1 426e בנה לעירך Raphael Tabbush Hamaoui Manuscript Recording
508.2 424a אך טוב לישראל Abraham I Antebi אברהם. Composed by H Abraham Antebi (1765-1858), Chief Rabbi of Aleppo from 1817. Pizmon found in "Ohel Yesharim" book from 1843. Attiah Manuscript Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript
509 425 אל מוכתר בכתר Moses Ashear פיוט על סדר אלף בית אומרה- Alludes to 10 Sefirot. Ashear applies this tune often to Naqdishakh. Ashear Manuscript M. Nadaf
I. Cabasso
I. Cabasso - Nishmat
E. Menaged - Nishmat
I Cabasso- El Mukhtar- Nishmat
I Cabasso 2
R Elnadav- Nishmat
נשמת
510 426 יחידי אל צור Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript Arabic
510.5 426a לי יה לי יה יבנה יה NLevy Recording
I Cabasso- EH
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Nishmat
511 427 רצני אהוב Ezra Dweck and Gabriel Shrem This pizmon (SABA, page 427), whose title can be translated as “My Beloved Will Want Me,” is a song that describes the love between man and his creator. The Hebrew words to the pizmon were composed by H Ezra Dweck with the assistance of Hazzan Gabriel A Shrem. It is written in honor of the great rabbi, H Baruch Ben Haim, who moved into the Syrian Jewish community of Brooklyn circa 1950 and got married to Charlotte, the daughter of the Chief Rabbi, Jacob S Kassin. The melody of this is from an Arabic song by the famous and influential Syrian-Egyptian composer, singer, and Oud player, Farid Al-Atrash (1910 - 1974). The song, called “Ghali Ya Bouy” (Dear Boy), was featured in the 1948 film called “Bolbol Effendi” (Mr Nightingale), and became wildly popular and beloved throughout the world; our community included. The melody of this song has been adapted to many pieces of prayers, such as Halleluya (Psalm 150), when prayers are being conducted in Maqam SABA. In addition, this song became associated with Pesah, and the entire month of Nissan, due to the references to them mentioned in the song’s second stanza. Leaflet Photograph of H Barukh Ben Haim G. Shrem Part 1
G. Shrem Part 2
G. Shrem 2
G. Shrem
Recording
Eliahou Ozen- Qaddish
Isaac Cabasso- Qaddish
Shrem and Cabby
E Sayegh
Moshe Dwek
Moshe Dwek - Halleluya
Moshe Dwek - Qaddish
הללויה
512 428 יה מוראך בי Ezra Mishaniye Bar Misvah. M. Nadaf - Qaddish
M. Nadaf - Qaddish 2
Shelomo Tob Cohen
קדיש
512.05 429a יודו שמך אלוהים משגבי Shelomo Hazzan Hazaq J Mosseri
512.09 429b רנה רנה רנה דוד בוזלי Shaare Zimra, Argentina book page 384. Shaare Zimra, Argentina F. Yanani
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