Shabbat Nahamu : ואתחנן

Moses tells of his failure to persuade God to let him enter Canaan. He exhorts the Israelites to follow God’s statutes – and to teach them to their children and their children’s children. In a second address, Moses recalls the Revelation at Sinai and restates the Ten Commandments. He then proclaims: “Sh’ma Yisra-el – Hear, O Israel: YHVH is our God, YHVH alone.”

Isaiah 40:1–26 [Other opinion: Jeremiah 32:16-44]

On Shabbat Nahamu, services are conducted in Maqam Hoseni (Arabic: “beauty”) according to all Halabi sources (Shami sources say Rast). The highlight of Perashat Va'ethanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) is the reading of the Ten Commandments, and therefore Hoseni is applied; alluding to the "beauty" of the Torah. Hoseni, which is a high version of Maqam Bayat, is also applied in association with Shabuot, the festival commemorating receiving the Torah. HAZZANUT: Da’at Umzimah (page 334-II) is transposed for Naqdishach. PIZMON: Re'eh Hashem Ki Sar Li (page 180). ALIYOT: Levi repeats 3:25. Ten Commandments reserved for the sixth aliyah. This Shabbat takes its name from the haftarah (Isaiah 40:1) that speaks of "comforting" the Jewish people. This is the first of seven haftarot of consolation leading up to Rosh Hashana. This week also marks the 26th year since the passing of Hazzan Gabriel A. Shrem A"H (1916-1986), Cantor of Congregation Magen David and Bnai Yosef and Editor-in-Chief of "Shir Ushbaha Hallel VeZimrah," our community's popular Red Pizmonim Book. His memory continues to be the chief driving force and inspiration behind all the efforts to preserve Syrian liturgical heritage by the Sephardic Pizmonim Project. MISHMARA: Tractate Shebuot (Sephardic Pizmonim Project, www.pizmonim.com).

ALL HALABI SOURCES: HOSENI

ALL SHAMI SOURCES: RAST