Rast - راست

Introduction

Rast - ראשט/ ראסט/ ראשת- is the first maqam in the arrangement of the Oriental maqamat and therefore represents a beginning. Rast is the first maqam section in the vast majority of historical pizmonim collections.

The word 'Rast' sounds similar to RAS, the Arabic word for head. As a result, we use Maqam Rast in the prayers for when we begin a new Humash as well as the Shabbat Afternoon Service because that is the first time the upcoming perasha is read.

On the Shabbat when the first perasha of each Humash is read, Maqam Rast is employed. Therefore, this maqam is applied for Shabbat Bereshit, Shemot, Vayiqra and Bemidbar. Shabbat Debarim is always Shabbat Hazon, the Shabbat prior to Tisha B’Ab; therefore Maqam Hijaz is used instead of Rast.

Rast tetrachord: starting on C

Index of Pizmonim

Pizmon	Page	Song	Commentary	Recordings	Application
106	107	יום יום תמיד	ישעיה חזק This pizmon (RAST, page 107), "Day by Day, to You I Pray," is the first song in the pizmonim book. It was composed in the nineteenth century in Aleppo by an individual named Yeshaya (acrostic: ישעיה חזק). There are 5 stanzas in this song. In the opening stanza, the author says that each day he prays for God, the King, to redeem His holy nation. He then asks to return the crown to the nation and to save them from all troubles. In the third and fourth stanzas, he petitions for the rebuilding of Zion, and for the prophecies of Isaiah to be fulfilled. Once this occurs, "every living soul will praise God" (alluding to Psalms 150:6). The final stanza praises God for giving His nation the Torah (the Ten Commandments) on Mount Sinai; the ultimate source of happiness for each Jewish person. Due to this song's important theme, it was considered a favorite of Mr Mickey Kairey A"H, and he made it a point to teach it to the youth on many occasions. This melody has been applied by H Moshe Ashear A"H to Naqdishakh on weeks of Maqam RAST. In addition, according to Mr Isaac Cabasso, this melody should also be applied to Nishmat of Shabbat Bereshit. Abraham Sitehon Manuscript Mosseri-Kozli Manuscript	M. Kairey Fule Yanani Recording Isaac Cabasso- Nishmat	נקדישך
107	108	מאמרי פי	Hatan. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	I. Cabasso E. Sayegh Fule Yanani Recording I Cabasso
108	109	חנון מרום	Raphael Tabbush Shabbat Bereshit. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	E. Menaged Fule Yanani Yom Tob Yanani E. Menaged 2 Recording	פזמון
109	109	מלך אל חי	Raphael Tabbush In honor of Moshe D'Picciotto, first printed in 1888. Tabbush Manuscript
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
111	111	חי אגיד לך נטמן	סימן חביב Hamaoui Manuscript Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	Arabic Recording Iraqi- Maqam Rast Maury Blanco
112	111	רצני אבי ומלכי	Raphael Tabbush סימן רפאל Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	S. Salem E. Sayegh Y. Bozo Recording
113	111	ינהג לי	Raphael Tabbush	E. Menaged
114	111	אחבירה לך		Y. Hamaoui G. Shrem Recording I Cabasso Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Nishmat Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh	ואני תפלתי
115	112	רופא חנם	Raphael Tabbush סימן רפאל Tabbush Manuscript
116	112	שיר אל אעירה	British Library Or. 10375
117	113	ישבע טוב	Hamaoui Manuscript	Maury Blanco Arabic
118	113	ישיר ישראל ברננים	Raphael Tabbush Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	S. Salem Y. Bozo I. Cabasso - Qaddish G. Shrem Recording G Shrem 2
119	114	אל יבול עלי	From the Arabic piece: "ElBolbol Gani Weqalli".	Arabic- Abd ElHai Hilmi E. Menaged Recording Recording H Obadia Yosef Maury Blanco	קדיש
120	114	אתה אל טוב		Y Hamaoui I. Cabasso Y. Bozo G. Shrem Recording Recording Recording
121	114	דלני מיד הזרי		I. Cabasso G. Shrem E Sayegh	קדיש
122	115	מה טוב כאישון	Raphael Tabbush For a Hatan that is a first born. Hamaoui Manuscript	I. Cabasso Fule Yanani Y. Bozo Recording E Sayegh
123	115	יה אל מגן	Raphael Tabbush Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	Y Hamaoui G. Shrem Recording Isaac Cabasso- Naqdishakh Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Nishmat Moshe Dwek - Nishmat Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh	נשמת
124	116	אתה יודע	Raphael Tabbush	Y Hamaoui G. Shrem I Cabasso- Naqdishakh Arabic Maury Blanco Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh	נקדישך
125	116	רפא צירי	Raphael Tabbush Refa Siri is a special composition written by H Raphael Tabbush A"H. The melody is attributed to a Judeo-Spanish song entitled "Triste Vida" (A Sad Life). The song has an acrostic of "Refael" and has been viewed as a prayer for good health. The first stanza of the song recognizes God as the ultimate doctor and healer. The song also contains a prayer for God to open the gates of mercy and to send freedom to our nation. The pizmon was used by H Moshe Ashear A"H (d.1940) for the PIZMON SEFER TORAH in 1940 for Shabbat Vayera because Abraham is thought to have been recovering from the Berit Mila at the opening of the perasha. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	E. Menaged Y Hamaoui G. Shrem Recording Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh Pizmon	אל ההודאות
126	117	רחום בך יגל לבבי	Raphael Tabbush Shabbat Va'era. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	M Habusha Recording Musa Camjagi- Semehim Musa Camjagi- Naqdishakh
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
128	118	רצה שירי	Raphael Tabbush	I. Cabasso E. Menaged Recording
129	118	יאיר יזרח	Shalosh Regalim.	E. Menaged Fule Yanani E. Menaged 2 Recording I Cabasso E Sayegh
130	119	הנה זה עומד		Yosef Hamaoui E. Menaged G. Shrem Recording Isaac Cabasso- Mimisrayim E Sayegh Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Mimisrayim Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh	ממצרים
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
132	120	יחיד נורא	Raphael Tabbush This jovial pizmon (RAST, page 120), composed by H Raphael Antebi Tabbush (deceased December 1918) of Aleppo, Syria, is one of the most important and popular songs for the festival of Pesah. There are four stanzas in this pizmon; corresponding to the four letter of name of God (Tetragrammaton). Within each stanza, there are multiple rhyming clauses. Although the melody of this song should not be applied to any of the pieces of prayers, this pizmon is used for the PIZMON SEFER TORAH (typically on Shabbat HaHodesh or 1-2 Pesah). Many aspects of the month of Nisan, including the Haggadah and the counting of the Omer, are alluded to in this special pizmon. In general, the composer gives praise to God for all of His kindness to mankind, and specifically to the Jewish nation for the Exodus from Egypt and the splitting of the sea. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript A Z Idelsohn notes, 1923	Fule Yanani S. Salem M. Kairey Albert Cohen Saban G. Shrem Recording I Cabasso Moshe Dwek
133	120	אל נורא פי ינוב	Raphael Tabbush סימן רפאל. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	S. Salem G. Shrem Recording Selim Breska
134	121	אל רם ברך		Moshe Diib Laniado I. Cabasso Recording	שועת עניים
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
136	122	פדה לי יה צור איומה	Mordekhai Siman: Mordekhai. See Hamaoui manuscript. Arabic melody is Janni el Marsoul. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	Arabic- Janni El Marsoul
137	122	דודי לי	Raphael Tabbush סימן רפאל Hamaoui Manuscript
138	123	רם ונעלם	Raphael Tabbush סימן רפאל Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording DMB - Mimisrayim	שמחים
139	123	הקץ יה חביבי	Raphael Tabbush סימן רפאל Hamaoui Manuscript	S. Salem Recording I Cabasso - Haleluya Selim Breska	הללויה
140	124	רני שמחי צהלי	Raphael Tabbush סימן רפאל Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	E. Marcus	שמחים
141	124	נשאם עד העולם	Raphael Tabbush Hamaoui Manuscript	M. Kairey G. Shrem Recording I Cabasso- SA	שמחים
142	124	אני לשמך אהלל	Raphael Tabbush סימן רפאל. Birth of a baby boy and the Pidyon HaBen. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	M. Kairey Fule Yanani G. Shrem Recording Eliahu Saal- Qaddish Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Mimisrayim Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh	אל ההודאות
143	125	רם לחסדך יקוו	Raphael Tabbush This pizmon (RAST, page 125), whose title translates as “Great, Your Kindness,” is a song composed by H Raphael Tabbush (d. 1918) to the French melody “Frere Jacques.” The 17th century French song is a nursery rhyme about a friar who has overslept and is pushed to wake up so that he can sound the bell for others to attend the morning prayer services. Throughout history, many versions of this song arose in many different cultures due to the simplicity of the melody. In regards to Tabbush’s Hebrew version, the acrostic is “Raphael” (רפאל) and there are three short stanzas; making it one of the shortest pizmonim in our collection. Although some may dismiss this song as one that is only for the youth, the themes of petitioning God for a good life, for the removal of evil from society, and the future redemption of the Jewish people, make it all the more relevant and meaningful to people of all ages, and not only for the youth. A free translation of the Hebrew pizmon is as follows: First stanza: “Great, Your kindness, they eagerly await… the students of the Torah, they thank you.” Second stanza: “Redeem, O King, the depressed people… and all her enemies, will be destroyed.” Third stanza: “God, from Your goodness, satiate us, and the chosen nation, will affirm Your name.” Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	J. Mosseri & M. Arking G. Shrem Recording Eliahu Saal- Qaddish Moshe Dwek	ממצרים
144	125	מימים ימימה	Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript	E. Menaged Recording I Cabasso Moshe Dwek	שועת עניים
145	126	יה שמע תפלה	Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript	E. Menaged G. Shrem Recording Musa Camjagi- Semehim I Cabasso- SA I Cabasso
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
147	127	מלך שוכן	Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript	E. Menaged E. Menaged 2 M. Kairey G. Shrem
148	128	יחיד אל נורא	Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript	E. Menaged E. Menaged 2 G. Shrem I Cabasso Shabetai Laniado
149	128	תען לשוני ותגיד	Moses Ashear (Maqam Sigah). Ashear Manuscript	E. Menaged E. Menaged 2 M. Kairey Yosef Hamaoui G. Shrem I Cabasso I Cabasso Arabic Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Semehim Moshe Dwek - Semehim	ממצרים
150	129	יה תן לי חנא	Moses Ashear Italian melody. Should be Sigah. For the groom, David Abraham Sutton. Ashear Manuscript	E. Menaged Arabic	שועת עניים
151	130	מלכי לעם איתני	Moses Ashear For the Hatan (groom), David Abraham Sutton. Ashear Manuscript	M. Kairey E. Menaged G. Shrem Moshe Dwek	כתר
152	131	אמר לו גואלי	Moses Ashear Ashear. In honour of the groom, Yosef Abraham Me'Eli HaKohen. Ashear Manuscript	Yosef Hamaoui E. Menaged G. Shrem Recording DMB - Qaddish
153	131	מבשר אתן	Moses Ashear In honour of the groom, Yosef Abraham Me'Eli HaKohen. Ashear Manuscript	E. Menaged E. Menaged 2 M. Kairey I Cabasso- EH I Cabasso- EH
154	132	יהלל פי בשמחת חתן	Moses Ashear Dweck. Ashear Manuscript
155	132	פצחו עמי שירים ותפלות	Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript
155.01	132a	חי וקים	This version, by H David Saliah is a very accurate rendition based on the composition by Dahud Husni. Hamaoui Manuscript	S. Salem David Saliah Maury Blanco
155.02	132a	מעמי תשים	The melody is said to derive from Arab song famous during World War I period, titled "Mother, Don't Cry Over Me." Hebrew words: Shelomo Laniado.	E. Sayegh Recording Joseph Sasson- Qaddish Ram Mizrachi- Qaddish
155.03	132a	אל חביב		M Tawil R. Elnadav Y Nahari- Qaddish R Elnadav Recording
155.04	132b	חי אל נאדר	Haim S Aboud	F. Yanani G. Shrem Recording R. Elnadav H Obadia Yosef Eliahou Ozen- Naqdishakh Moshe Habusha Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh Shlomo Antebi- Qaddish
155.05	132c	יה גבור		Arabic
156	133	אור יה עלי ישכון	Moses Ashear Ashear Manuscript	G. Shrem
157	133	מה נאוו רגלי מבשר	Moses Ashear Shabbat Qorah.	G. Shrem G. Shrem Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh	כתר
158	134	ישמח חתני יה	Moses Ashear
159	135	ממרום קולם	Moses Ashear	G. Shrem G. Shrem Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - HM Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh	ה' מלך
160	136	דר זבולה	Moses Ashear Wedding of David Jack Beyda family. Original Arabic song "Elly Habbak Ya Hana" sung by Om Kalsoum. Ashear used this for Hodaot on first shabbat post Pesah. June 27, 1934. Leaflet	Arabic Recording J. Mosseri R Elnadav- Qaddish Yosef Rafoul- Qaddish	אל ההודאות
161	137	מה לך רעיה יחידה	Moses Ashear Nissim Shaul Dabbah Bar Misvah. February 23, 1935. Leaflet	I. Cabasso I. Cabasso 2
162	138	דגלך ישא על הרים	Moses Ashear Nissim Shaul Dabbah Bar Misvah. February 23, 1935. Leaflet	G. Shrem I Cabasso- Semehim (Lo Ahale Ki) Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - SA
163	139	טל עלי יה	Moses Ashear Ephraim Mordechai Haddad Bar Misvah. January 1935. Leaflet	Moe Massry Moe Massry 2 I. Cabasso Moey Sutton Arabic Recording	פזמון
164	140	אב הרחמן אהבת	Ezra Dweck and Gabriel Shrem Wedding of Lew Grazi on his wedding day, 15 Tammuz, 1956. The melody is from "Bint Il Jiran."	I. Cabasso J. Mosseri Recording Recording Moshe Dwek	כתר
165	141	גלי על עדן גלי	Ezra Mishaniye Azrak Bar Misvah. Shabuot 1947. Leaflet	J. Mosseri J. Mosseri 2 J. Mosseri 3 Arabic Arabic 2
166	143	רננות שיר ושבחה	Raphael Yair Elnadav Gindi Bar Misvah.	I. Cabasso
167	144	נאוה יפה צביה	Ezekiel Hai Albeg This pizmon (RAST, page 144), whose title translates as "Lovely, Pretty Gazelle," is the first, and possibly only, pizmon to be written in honor of a baby girl. In the 1950's, some complained that there were many songs written for baby boys, yet nothing for girls. In 1954, master poet Ezekiel H Albeg corrected this by composing this for the birth of his daughter, Nina. Today, this song is used for an Abi HaBat before going up to the Torah. There are four stanzas in this song; corresponding to name "Nina." The first stanza also serves as a chorus; to be repeated after each subsequent stanza. The melody of this is from the Arabic song "Ya Widel Widalakh." In this song, there are many references to Shir HaShirim; containing imagery that illustrates the relationship between God and the Jewish people. One such reference from Shir HaShirim is the repeated phrase at the end of each stanza "Bo'ee Legani, Legani Beshir, Mizmor Halleli" (Come to My garden in song...); referring to Israel's joyous return to Jerusalem in song and in praise. Although the song is officially classified as Maqam RAST, the word 'Nava' in the beginning of the song hints that it can also be classified as NAWAH.	G. Shrem Recording Moshe Dwek	אל ההודאות
167.01	144a	אנא יה חביבי		S. Salem Saul Nobeh Betesh G. Shrem Recording R. Elnadav R Elnadav
167.02	144a	אנא יה רם	Raphael Tabbush	E. Menaged E. Sayegh Y. Bozo Arabic: Ana El Gharam Shabetai Laniado & Qaddish Maury Blanco
167.03	142c	אל עוזי בך	NLevy	Yosef Hamaoui- Qedousha Yosef Hamaoui- Nishmat Recording	נקדישך נשמת
254.4	204	הללי תשמע	Ezra Mishaniye Written in honor of birth of Joseph Yehudah Levy; March 27, 1952. Leaflet	M. Nadaf I. Cabasso - Nishmat