H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1884)

H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1884) was one of the greatest Hakhamim living in Aleppo. He composed many Halakhic responsa books, Biblical commentaries and sermons, as well as many liturgical poems (piyyutim and pizmonim). The names of some of his Halakhic books are: מעיין גנים, חן מרדכי, מליץ נעים. The Baqashot book that he assemmbled in 1873 was called "Miqra Qodesh" (מקרא קודש). The book "דברי מרדכי" contains some of the pizmonim that he composed. Seven of his pizmonim became incorporated into the Baqashot canon. In addition, he composed the very popular pizmon, "מקהלות עם".

Pizmonim

Section	Pizmon	Page	Song	Commentary	Recordings	Application
Baqashot	18	27	מי לה' אתי	Maqam Bayat First seen in "Miqrah Qodesh", 1883. Bayat. Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917	Archives Ohabe Zion 1960
Baqashot	21	29	יום זה שירו	Maqam Mehayar-Bayat This song (MEHAYAR / RAHAW, page 29), considered the most popular of the Baqashot collection, is composed by the great rabbi H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1884) of Aleppo, Syria. Other compositions by H Abadi can be found in "Dibre Mordekhai" (Aleppo, 1873). Although the acrostic is “Yosef Binyamin Hazaq," H Abadi's name is hinted to in the song. The theme of the song is to encourage the people to enjoy the Shabbat by singing to God. According to the chorus, the Sabbath is special because it is a time of rest from work, and it is our inheritance to be happy on this very blessed day. Throughout the 5 stanzas, there are many allusions to verses from the Tanakh. The final verse is a charge to strengthen those in the community who wake up pre-dawn to sing the Baqashot; reminding them “these are your lives to reach strengths and to dwell in the courtyards in the House of God." Besides for singing this during the Baqashot, this song is also customarily heard on the table during the Shabbat meal. A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917	E. Menaged Archives Moshe Dwek
Baqashot	31	39	יודוך מלך	Maqam Rahawi Nawah Written by H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1883). Rahawi Nawah. Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917	Archives E. Menaged G. Shrem G. Shrem Ohabe Zion 1960 Yaaqob Bozo - Shavat Aniyim Moshe Dwek - HM / Halleluya	אל ההודאות
Baqashot	41	48	אני אספר	Maqam Rast This pizmon (BAQASHOT, page 48), translated as "I Will Explain," is a song that was written in order to glorify the observance of the Shabbat. The pizmon, whose melody is classified as both Maqam IRAQ or RAST, is part of the Baqashot collection; songs chanted pre-dawn prior to Morning services on Shabbat. The author is one of the most important Hakhamim of Aleppo, H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1884), as illustrated by the song's acrostic "Ani Hu Mordekhai Ben L'Yaaqob Abadi Hazeq Amess” (אני הוא מרדכי בן ליעקב עבאדי חזק אמץ). This is one of seven songs in the Baqashot section authored by H Mordekhai Abadi. In one of the longest songs in our canon (28 stanzas), the author poetically enumerates all 39 Melakhot (forms of labor) that are prohibited on Shabbat. Despite all the prohibitions, the Sabbath day is considered "a delight," and those who participate in the Sabbath observance are entitled to great merit. Of all the songs encountered in the Aleppo tradition, this song seems to be the most focused on Halakha (Rabbinic Jewish law). The melody of this song is most commonly applied to Semehim for prayer services in Maqam RAST. A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917	Archives Yosef Hamaoui G. Shrem Ohabe Zion 1960 I Cabasso- Semehim E Menaged	שמחים
Baqashot	42	51	מהללך ורוב גדלך	Maqam Rast Written by H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1883). Lists the seven heavens. Rast. A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917	Archives Yosef Hamaoui E. Sayegh I. Cabasso - Qaddish M. Kairey M. Kairey (Domamim) G. Shrem G. Shrem D Riahi- Nishmat Isaac Cabasso- Nishmat I Cabasso- Domamim- Qaddish I Cabasso- Qaddish (Domamim) E Menaged David Franco - Nishmat and Reading in Maqam RAST	נשמת
Baqashot	43	52	משמים שלום לעם	Maqam Rast Written by H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1883). Rast. A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923 Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917	Archives G. Shrem Ohabe Zion 1960 H Mousa Basul- Qaddish D Riahi- Qaddish E Menaged- Naqdishakh E Menaged Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh	נקדישך
Baqashot	54	62	מרומים ישכון	Maqam Sigah Written by H Mordekhai Abadi (1826-1883). Sigah. Aharon Rahamim Hares Baqashot Manuscript, 1917	Archives Ohabe Zion 1960
Ajam	215	173	מקהלות עם	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
Saba	496	411	מה טוב מה נעים	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
Saba	497	412	מבטן ידיד יה קדש	Milah Abraham Sitehon Manuscript	Morris Elmann Fule Yanani A Mouhadeb D Kassin - Mimisrayim
	2610		מקום בינה איפה נמצא	Maqam Saba Composed by H Mordekhai Abadi.	play pause D Binker-Dwek