November 21, 2024 ~ Shabbat HAYE SARA. HIJAZ.
"Arak and Tarbeke"
image by Mitchell D Betesh
Introduction by Sam Catton
God said to Moses, "I have a precious gift in My treasure house and its name is the "Sabbath"; I wish to give it to Israel; go and advise them."
Israel accepted it willingly. They safeguarded it through the centuries, and observed it with extreme diligence.
Conversely, the Sabbath kept the Jewish people alive and vibrant for over 33 centuries.
What a beautiful sight as we observe the family on the Sabbath, festive and joyous, clad in their best clothes, and enjoying special food and drink, amidst song and prayer. This view is enlarged in the whole community as it gathers in the Synagogue to worship and to study Torah with joy. As we observe the Sabbath, we testify to the entire world that the Lord created the heavens and the earth in six days, and on the seventh day He rested. Thus affirming our belief in the creation of the world by the Almighty.
This idea influenced almost all of mankind to rest from their labors one day a week.
Our sages tell us that all those who honor, observe, and delight in the Sabbath to the fullest extent, have a great reward in this world and in the world to come.
| Section | Pizmon | Page | Song | Commentary | Recordings | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayat | 300 | 238 | יחיד רם לעולם |  Raphael Tabbush First song at all Sebets. The initials at the beginning of each stanza form the acrostic 'Yosef'. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript |
M. Tawil G. Shrem Fule Yanani Moshe Diib Laniado Recording Moshe Dwek |
פזמון |
| Bayat | 302 | 239 | נורא ורם |  Raphael Tabbush The pizmon incorporates the poet's name and hints at the shortest prayer in the Bible, "El na Refah na Lah", "Oh God, pray heal her now" (Numbers 12:13). The Text of this pizmon calls of God to "heal my sickness and pain". The pizmon also asks God to banish the "son of Hagar". Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript |
S. Salem E. Sayegh Fule Yanani G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording Y Nahari H Abraham Zafrani D Binker-Duek |
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| Bayat | 319 | 246 | מעזי אז כלה קץ | Raphael Tabbush “Mauzi,” or “My Fortress” (BAYAT, page 246), is a song that is very popular. H Raphael Tabbush is likely the author of this pizmon, but this is uncertain. The melody of this song is from the Arabic song “Baladi Askara Min Araf il Lama.” This song is associated with the Shalosh Regalim festivals due to a brief reference to them. The melody of this pizmon is typically applied to Shav’at Aniyim for weeks of Maqam BAYAT. Despite this being a song for the most happy of holidays, this song is actually very sad. It asks why has God abandoned us and why has the Messiah not yet arrived? It describes how our enemies have taken over our vineyards and have killed us. The climax of the song, “Al Damam,” describes how “my tears fall on their blood" (the blood of fellow Jews) and how our tears are enough to fill rivers. The four verse piece concludes with an open question: “Where has my Beloved gone; to Whom I rejoice three times a year?” Commentary on Pizmon |
N. Salem Ezra Sayegh E. Menaged Fule Yanani I. Cabasso- Shav'at G. Shrem Recording R Barzani- Shaveat I Cabasso E Sayegh D Binker-Duek Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - SA Moshe Dwek - Mauzi |
שועת עניים |
| Bayat | 346 | 266 | אל מאד נעלה | Moses Ashear The pizmon “El Meod Na’ala” (BAYAT, page 266) is one of the most famous compositions written by cantor H Moshe Ashear (1877-1940). This was written in honor of the groom Mr Elie J Gindi (born in 1900, Syria) for his wedding (circa 1924 in Brooklyn, NY). The acrostic of the pizmon is “Eliah Moshe” with the first word of each of the three stanzas spelling “Eliah” and the second word of each stanza spelling “Moshe.” The names of the bride’s father, Moses (Attieh), and the bride, Rachel, are alluded to in the first and third stanza’s respectively. The melody of this pizmon is from polka music from Istanbul, Turkey. In the prayers, this melody is commonly applied to Semehim on weeks of Maqam BAYAT. This song is also traditionally used as the PIZMON SEFER TORAH for Shabbat Shemot because of it mentioning Moshe and Aharon, two important people introduced in this Torah portion. Ashear Manuscript |
I. Cabasso- Semehim Yosef Hamaoui G. Shrem Recording R. Elnadav R Barzani- Shaveat DMB Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - HM Moshe Dwek - Semehim Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh |
שמחים |
| Bayat | 341 | 261 | הבו גודל | Moses Ashear Bar Misvah. Ashear Manuscript |
M Kairey Recording Moe Tawil Moshe Dwek |
שועת עניים |
| Bayat | 388 | 312 | שירו שיר חדוה | Ezekiel Hai Albeg This special pizmon (BAYAT, page 312) is composed to the Arabic melody of "Al Hiya Helwa" by Cantor Ezekiel Hai Albeg in honor of the Bar Misvah of Benny Levy (1939-2024) son of Olga and Elie Bechor Levy. Benny Levy is one of the pioneers of Ahi Ezer Congregation. It is said about him that he lived a humble yet fulfilling life. He passed away the 24th of Adar 1, 5784 (which is March 4, 2024). The melody of this song can be applied to Semehim when prayers are conducted in Maqam BAYAT. Photo of Benny Bechor Levy (1939-2024) |
Fule Yanani I. Cabasso Recording Isaac Cabasso- Qaddish Shrem and Cabby Moshe Dwek |
שמחים |
| Bayat | 391.02 | 318a | חביבי יה חביבי | Asher Mizrahi Maqam Kourd Siman: Asher. Lahan: Habibi Dah Habibi. |
E. Sayegh Saul Nobeh Betesh Recording Moshe Dwek |
נקדישך |
| Bayat | 389 | 313 | צור יה אל | Ezekiel Hai Albeg This pizmon (BAYAT, page 313), whose opening words translate as "Rock, Lord, God, King of the Universe, Unto You Are My Thoughts" was written in the early 1950's by Cantor Ezekiel H Albeg. It was written as a birthday dedication to Mr Charles A Serouya (d. 2005), the President of Young Magen David (YMD). "Charlie", as he was affectionately known, had a rare vibrant personality and devoted most of his life to supporting synagogue causes. The unique group that he created, Young Magen David, or "Charlie's Shul," was the first self-governing 'Youth Minyan' in the Community. The opening words of the song, "Sur Ya El," are a play on Charlie's last name "Serouya," and the acrostic of the song is "צעירי מגן דוד" (Young Magen David). The melody of this song is an instrumental piece called "Bint al-Balad" (Daughter of the Country) by Mohammad 'Abd al-Wahab. What made the composition of this pizmon extremely difficult is that the original Arabic piece, a bashraf, had no words; only a recurring melody. It was only at Gabriel A Shrem's insistence that Cantor Albeg undertook the challenge of composing beautiful Hebrew words to this catchy melody. Photograph of Charlie Serouya |
M Kairey S. Salem M. Tawil Recording |
פזמון |
| Mehayar-Bayat | 395 | 321 | אשיר אני בבית נאוה | Moses Ashear J Gindi. |
M Tawil I. Cabasso Y. Bozo Recording I Cabasso 2 Shlomo Antebi- Qaddish |
קדיש |
| Ajam | 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 |
|
| Ajam | 231 | 181 | שמך יתרומם | Raphael Tabbush Hamaoui Manuscript |
M Kairey Moshe Diib Laniado Y. Bozo G. Shrem Recording Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - HM |
ממצרים |
| Ajam | 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 |
| Ajam | 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 |
| Ajam | 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 |
| Rast | 135 | 121 | מה נעים החתן | Raphael Tabbush Hatan. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 |
M. Kairey E. Menaged G. Shrem I Cabasso- Mimisrayim |
ממצרים |
| Rast | 146 | 127 | מגן ישעי | Moses Ashear This pizmon, "Magen Yish'ee" (RAST, page 127), is composed by H Moses Ashear (acrostic: Moshe Hazaq), in honor of the wedding of Mr Ezra Obadia Labaton In Brooklyn, NY, circa 1920-25. The melody of this song is from the Dutch folk song entitled "Trip a Trop a Tronjes." As the melody sounds, this is a very happy song that celebrates the occasion of a wedding in the Labaton family. The last stanza contains a reference to H Mordekhai Labaton (1780-1869); the great Aleppian Rabbi and patriarch of this family. The last stanza also contains a prayer to return to the sanctuary of the Temple and to rebuild the city of Zion (Jerusalem). This melody is commonly applied to Shav'at Aniyim on weeks of Maqam RAST. On December 7, 2013, two days after the passing of Rabbi Ezra Labaton, Rabbi of Congregation Magen David of West Deal and the grandson of the individual mentioned above, this song was used as the PIZMON SEFER TORAH in over ten community synagogues as a tribute to the Rabbi. Ashear Manuscript Photograph of Rabbi Dr Ezra Labaton |
E. Menaged Yosef Hamaoui G. Shrem Recording Nahari- Semehim Moshe Dwek |
שועת עניים |
| Rast | 110 | 110 | ידך עשת | Raphael Tabbush Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript |
E. Menaged Arabic I. Cabasso- Qaddish Y. Bozo G. Shrem Recording M Habusha I Cabasso- Qaddish E Sayegh |
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| Rast | 127 | 117 | חי הזן לכל תמיד | Raphael Tabbush In honor of the wedding of Tabbush's student, Hayyim Tawil. |
G. Shrem E. Menaged E. Menaged 2 S. Salem S. Salem 2 Cain Cain - Qaddish Moshe Diib Laniado Amos Dodi Recording Maury Blanco Selim Breska |
קדיש |
| Rast | 131 | 119 | יה תאיר לאורי | Raphael Tabbush Dor: yah talah il sa'adi. |
S. Salem Moshe Diib Laniado Albert Cohen Saban Recording M Habusha Maury Blanco Moshe Dwek |
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| Rast | 167.01 | 144a | אנא יה חביבי |
S. Salem Saul Nobeh Betesh G. Shrem Recording R. Elnadav R Elnadav |
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| Nahwand | 265 | 210 | אתה אל כביר | Raphael Tabbush The initials at the beginning of each stanza form the acrostic 'Ani Refael'. The song talks about Israel's redemption. The beginning of the pizmon has the composer turning to God to ask for mercy. The composer says that he will not stop praying until his prayers are accepted. He prays for the redemption of the Jewish people, the gathering of the exile, and returning to the Land of Israel. Tabbush Manuscript |
E. Sayegh I. Cabasso- Nishmat G. Shrem G. Shrem 2 G. Shrem Recording R. Elnadav R Barzani- Qaddish Isaac Cabasso- Nishmat Isaac Cabasso- Qaddish R Elnadav Turkish Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Nishmat Moshe Dwek - Rau Banim |
נשמת |
| Nahwand | 271 | 213 | אחזה בנועם | Raphael Tabbush "Ehze BeNoam" (NAHWAND, page 213), translated as "I will gaze at the pleasantness of Your face," is a song written by master composer, H Raphael Antebi Tabbush (d. 1918). The 6 stanzas of the song form the acrostic: "Ani Refael" (אני רפאל). Though a favorite at the Shabbat afternoon Sebbits, this melody is almost never applied to any of the pieces of prayers. This composition describes what the author envisions he will do once he leaves the exile; dwelling in the House of the Lord, bowing in the holy sanctuary, and offering the burnt sacrifice in the Temple. He then asks for the Blessing of Abraham and not to be humiliated while in exile. He continues by asking for God to hasten the redemption for the Jewish nation. The battered Jewish nation, at times, feels "chained" (עגונים) in their exile, but finds comfort in their study of the Torah. The author asks God to accept the praises and songs of His beloved nation, because He is a merciful God that forgives transgressions and is eternally kind. Tabbush Manuscript |
M Kairey Fule Yanani G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording R Elnadav Moshe Dwek |
פזמון |
| Nahwand | 293.3 | 228b | יפרח יה אבי |
E. Nahum Fule Yanani Arabic I. Cabasso- Qaddish Recording Recording E Sayegh |
קדיש | |
| Bayat | 391.09 | 318h | לך אנה עורך | NLevy Maqam Nahwand |
Arabic Recording R Barzani- Qaddish Hebrew Recording Moshe Dwek - Qaddish Moshe Dwek - Qaddish |
קדיש |
| Nahwand | 296 | 231 | ירומם צורי | Moses Ashear Ashear composed this pizmon in honor of the birth of his grandson Moshe to his son Yosef. The initials at the beginning of each main stanza form the acrostic 'Yosef HaCohen Hazak'. June 8, 1935. Leaflet |
I. Cabasso I Cabasso- Semehim I Cabasso- Semehim 2 Recording Moshe Dwek |
קדיש |
| Nahwand | 299.04 | 237d | רוממו לו בקול | Raphael Yair Elnadav Composed for the Bar Misvah of Ezra Tawil to the melody of "Inta al-Hubb", a popular Arab song performed by Umm Kulthum. |
Arabic Recording Agudat Dodim (Buenos Aires)- Mimisrayim Moshe Dwek - Rau Banim |
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| Nahwand | 284 | 220 | מלך רם | Moses Ashear The pizmon “Melekh Ram” (NAHWAND, page 220), which translates as “Exalted King,” is a very popular song composed by H Moshe Ashear (acrostic: משה). It was composed in honor of the wedding of Mr. Joseph Ezra Tawil (alluded to in the third paragraph). Prominently mentioned in this song are Joseph’s three brothers: Abraham, Shaul, and Mordekhai Tawil; distinguished leaders of Congregation Magen David of Bensonhurst in the 1920’s. This individual, Joseph, ended up moving permanently to Mexico for business opportunities. In this song, we praise God for being the “Exalted King,” and we ask Him to send a savior and redeemer to his chosen nation. We also ask for God to raise our fortunes (with many happy occasions such as weddings) and return His children to their borders so that they can sing and praise Him for all eternity. The melody of this is from a “Chopin March." This melody is popularly applied to Shav’at Aniyim when praying in Maqam NAHWAND. Ashear Manuscript Photograph of Shaul, Joseph and Abraham Tawil |
I. Cabasso E. Menaged G. Shrem G. Shrem 2 G. Shrem Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - SA |
שועת עניים |
| Nahwand | 293.2 | 228b | אני אשיר לך |
E. Nahum M Tawil M Tawil 2 Recording |
נקדישך | |
| Nahwand | 299.08 | 237h | חביבי אלי תמכת בי | Haim S Aboud |
Recording Hebrew Recording Yaaqob Zeruq - Qaddish |
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| Nahwand | 289 | 225 | מה עצמו | Moses Ashear Wedding of Selim and Nizha Gindi. Photograph is courtesy of David Catton, grandson. Ashear Manuscript Photograph of Selim and Nizha Gindi |
E. Menaged G. Shrem I. Cabasso- El Hahodaot M Tawil (and next song) G. Shrem Recording Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Qaddish Moshe Dwek - Qaddish I Cabasso - Naqdishakh |
קדיש |
| Saba | 453 | 376 | יהלל לאל נורא | Raphael Tabbush This pizmon (SABA, page 376), whose opening words are translated as “He Will Give Praise to the Awesome God with Sounds of Song,” is a masterpiece in the Syrian Jewish tradition. Composed by H Raphael Antebi Tabbush (d. 1918), perhaps in honor of the birth of his brother's son ("Isaac ben Abraham"), it has the acrostic "Isaac" (יצחק) and has 4 stanzas; with the first stanza also serving as the chorus. The song opens with a promise that the Jewish nation, and “every living thing that has breath” (alluding to Psalms 150:6), will praise God in song. The second stanza asks God to remember the covenant of Isaac (son of Abraham), gather the Jews from exile, and bring them to the city of Jerusalem where they will praise Him in happiness. The third stanza asks God to grant us “life, grace, and kindness,” and give us a sign, or better yet, a miracle; similar to those experienced in the days of Moses. But the miracle now will be the redemption and to quickly bring the Messiah. The final stanza, in a very moving petition, beseeches God to "accept to the prayers of his nation"; this includes protecting us, saving us, healing us, and having mercy on us. Finally, the song concludes, that when all these prayers have been answered, the prophecies of Isaiah will now be fulfilled and we will “sing to God a new song” (Isaiah 42:10), and we will encounter new priests serving in a new Beit Hamiqdash (temple) in the rebuilt city of Jerusalem. Tabbush Manuscript |
E. Menaged G. Shrem E. Sayegh Fule Yanani Sion Recording Iraqi- Maqam Saba Nahari- Nishmat Charlie Chehebar- Nishmat DMB - Se Fezura - Naqdishakh |
נקדישך |
| Saba | 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 |
| Saba | 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 |
| Sigah | 522 | 438 | מלך רם ונשא | Moshe Ashkenazi Tabbush Manuscript British Library Or. 10375 |
E. Menaged E. Menaged 2 M. Nadaf G. Shrem Recording R Elnadav- Semehim Isaac Cabasso |
פזמון |
| Awj-Oj | 514 | 430 | אל פקוד עמך | Raphael Tabbush This pizmon (OJ, page 430), "Lord, Take Note of Your Nation," is composed based on the Arabic melody called "El Füad Habaq." The Hebrew song is found in the Old "Shir Ushbaha" (page 49), and is most likely written by H Raphael Antebi Tabbush. This melody is popularly applied to Naqdishakh on weeks of Maqam SIGAH. This pizmon is actually a solemn prayer to God from the author, Tabbush; written in first person. The author requests for God to single out and notice His nation, gather them to His house, and to shelter those that are God-fearing. He should have mercy on the poor people, and elevate their paths to be smoother. God should be good to them because they rely on Him and call out to Him. The author continues and petitions God for his own personal welfare. Paraphrasing his words, he says that at all times my heart has high emotions for You (God). God carries my wrongdoings and should have mercy on me and help me. God should watch over me, at all times I pray; and should sustain me forever. |
M. Nadaf Moshe Diib Laniado Y. Bozo Amos Dodi Recording R Barzani- Qaddish R Barzani- Keter R Barzani- Naqdishakh Arabic: El Fuad Habaq Eliahou Ozen- Nishmat I Cabasso - Naqdishakh Maury Blanco |
נקדישך |
| Sigah | 552.1 | 458 | נגילה הללויה | Asher Mizrahi Siman: Asher Hazaq. Lahan: Lah Yiglala. |
M. Kairey Recording Recording Recording Eliahou Ozen- Shavat Moshe Dwek Abraham Franco- Semehim |
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| Hijaz | 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 |
| Hijaz | 605.5 | 502a | מול אלי וגודלו | NLevy |
Saul Nobeh Betesh G. Shrem Recording I Cabasso- Semehim Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - EH |
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| Hijaz | 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 |
| Qiddush | 0.2 | 7a | צור משלו אכלנו | Pizmon for Birkat HaMazon. Each blessing of Birkat Hamazon is alluded to. Maqam Hijaz. |
Recording Moshe Dwek - Haleluya Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh |
