Graphic:
COLLECTION
OF SOURCES»MAQAM of the WEEK
מקאמות
Graphic:
COLLECTION
OF SOURCES»
Arabic maqām is the system of melodic modes used in traditional Arabic music. The word maqam means place, location or rank. The Arabic maqam is a melody type. Each maqam is built on a scale, and carries a tradition that defines its habitual phrases, important notes, melodic development and modulation. Both compositions and improvisations in traditional Arabic music are based on the maqam system.
Each Shabbat, the Sephardic Middle Eastern congregation conducts services applying a different maqam. The maqam is selected based on the Torah portion's theme or an upcoming occasions. The melodies used in a given maqam aims effectively to express the appropriate emotional mindset throughout the liturgy.
List of Weekly Maqams (as per Shir Ushbaha Hallel Vezimrah)
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PERICOPE |
MAQAM |
EXPLANATION |
RELATED PIZMONIM |
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Bereshit |
Head of the Book |
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Noah |
Building of the Ark (Tebah) |
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Lech Lecha |
Brit Milah |
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Vayera |
The 3 Visitors= Angels= "Navah Kodesh"= NAWA Rebuke: Sarah for Laughing/ Sedom and Gemora |
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Haye Sarah |
Death of Sarah (and later Abraham) |
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Toledot |
Anxiety: Anger of Esau / Quickness of Jacob |
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Vayese |
Wedding of Jacob |
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Vayishlah |
Eighth Parasha/ Shechem does Berit Milah |
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Vayesheb |
Controversy Amongst the Brothers Shabbat Before Hanukkah |
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Miqes |
Shabbat of Hanukkah: Menorah |
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Vayigash |
Diplomacy between Judah and Joseph Oath of Judah to Joseph |
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Vayehi |
Death of Jacob |
| PERICOPE | MAQAM | EXPLANATION | RELATED PIZMONIM |
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Shemot |
Head of the Book |
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Va’era |
"Ani Amonai" reminiscent of Aseret Hadibrot (Mattan Torah) |
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Bo |
Passover Torah Reading; Third Parasha of Shemot. |
361-II |
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Beshalah |
Song of the Sea (Shabbat Shirah) |
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Yitro |
Beauty of Ten Commandments |
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Mishpatim |
Multitude of Laws/ "Dam HaBerit" |
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Terumah |
Beauty of Tabernacle (Mishkan) |
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Tesave |
Clothing of Priests/ Prior to Purim (usually Shabbat Zachor) |
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Ki Tisa |
Golden Calf Sin |
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Vayaqhel |
Beauty of Tabernacle |
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Pequdei |
End of Book |
[1] On some lists, Bayat is used for Perashat Shemot, because the word “bat”, which is used in the perasha (referring to when girls are born they should be allowed to live) resembles the word BAYAT. For those who apply Bayat for Shemot, they should apply Rast/Mahour for Va'era (M. Ashear).
[2]Each list designates a different maqam for Perashat Va’era. The reason why Hoseni is listed in the Red book is because Va'era has a Mattan Torah aspect as conveyed in the first aliyah with "Ani Amonai" every 52 (then every 26) words echoing "Anokhi Amonai...Asher Hosetikha"... of Asseret Hadiberot (H. Nadaf). In Israel, Knis Ades applies Maqam Nawah for Va'era in order to use the pizmon on page 361-II, discussing the ten plagues, for Semehim.
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PERICOPE |
MAQAM |
EXPLANATIONS |
RELATED PIZMONIM |
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Vayiqra |
Head of Book |
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Sav |
Prior to Passover (usually Shabbat Hagadol) |
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Shemini |
Hoseni[1] |
Beauty of Newly Dedicated Mishkan |
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Tazria |
Birth of a Baby Boy= Berit Milah. |
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Mesora-Tahor [2] |
Laws of Purity/ Shabbat Before Israel Independence Day |
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Aharei Mot |
Death of Nadab and Abihu (Aaron's children) |
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Qedoshim |
Multitude of Laws Berit prevents arayot transgressions |
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Emor |
Priests/ Holidays Reading /Prior to Lag L’Omer |
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Behar |
SABA: Multitude of Laws (Shemitah and Jubilee) NAWAH: Shemitah= "Shabbat" for the Land= "Nawah kodesh" |
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Behuqotai |
End of Book/ Rebuke & Blessing of Covenant Contract |
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[1] Maqam Rast is commonly used for Perashat Shemini, which is typically the first Shabbat after Passover. M. Ashear used Nahwand when this coincides with Parashat Parah. Maqam Rast is usually applied the first Shabbat after Passover except when this occurs on Parashat Aharei Mot (Hijaz) and the week prior to Israel Independence Day (Nahwand).
[2] Perashat Tazria and Mesora are sometimes read together. In that case, Maqam Saba is usually applied. Perashat Mesora is referred to as "Tahor", meaning pure (Lashon Sagi Nahor). Most other sources for Tazria, including M. Ashear, say to apply Maqam Bayat or Hoseni.
[3] Some congregations apply Israeli national melodies (Maqam Nahwand) to the prayers on the week prior to Israel Independence Day. Note that official policy of the Sephardic Pizmonim Project is to celebrate Israel Independence Day by the recitation of the Hallel and by applying Maqam Nahwand to the Morning prayers the week prior to the holiday and on the holiday itself.
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PERICOPE |
MAQAM |
EXPLANATIONS |
RELATED PIZMONIM |
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Bemidbar |
Head of Book/ Prior to Shabuot (Shabbat Kallah) |
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Naso |
First few words "Yose'e Saba"/ subject of Sotah is connected to Berit Milah. |
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Beha’alotcha |
The Menorah (associated with Hanukah Holiday) and Mishkan; 3rd parasha of book. |
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Shelah |
Sin of the Spies |
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Qorah |
Controversy of Qorah |
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Huqat |
Mattan Torah Aspect (Hoq: Statute)[5] |
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Balaq |
Anxiety: Anger of Bilaam when curses are switched (broken heartedness). Quickness of Bilaam to chase after money and curse Israel. |
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Pinehas |
“Berit Shalom” for Pinehas. Pinehas= Eliyahu according to Zohar. 8th Perasha in Sefer Bemidbar. |
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Matot |
End of Book (usually combined with next perasha) |
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Masei |
Traveling through desert in armies; Armies= Saba |
237c |
[1] Most years, Bemidbar and Shabbat Kallah (the Shabbat before Shavuot) coincide. On those years, Maqam Hoseni is applied to this Perasha in honor of the upcoming holiday. However, during years that Bemidbar is not the Shabbat immediately before the holiday, Maqam Rast is applied.
[2]
When Perashat Naso and Shabbat Kallah coincide, then Maqam
Hoseni is used.
In 1937,
1938, and 1939, M. Ashear prayed
[3] Some lists cite Maqam Nahwand for Perashat Shelah. Also, some cantors would mix Bayat with Hijaz in order to differentiate this sadness and the absolute sadness in Perashat Debarim.
[4] In the past, Qorah and Huqat were read together, but this changed when Syrians moved to the U.S. and abolished this practice in order not to be different then the rest of the Jews. Maqam Rast is applied in Knis Ades for Perashat Huqat.
[5] Nadaf insight: By following laws such as Parah Adumah, it is like you are receiving the Torah, and therefore Hoseni should be used.
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PERICOPE |
MAQAM |
EXPLANATIONS |
RELATED PIZMONIM |
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Debarim |
Prior to Tisha B’Av. Destruction. (Shabbat Hazon) |
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Va’ethanan |
Beauty of Ten Commandments (Shabbat Nahamu) |
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Eqeb |
Reading of Vehaya Im Shamoa (Special Torah Portion); 3rd parasha of Debarim. |
31 |
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Re’eh |
Beginning of Selihot Season and Month of Elul[4] |
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Shofetim |
Ajam |
Joyful Occasion of Appointing a King |
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Ki Tese |
Armies Mobilizing/ Warning Against Arayot (case of Ben Sore uMoreh)/ Multitude of Laws |
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Ki Tabo |
Special Torah Reading Upon Entering New Land |
67 |
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Nisabim |
End of Year/ Rebuke (usually last Shabbat of year) |
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Vayelech |
Shabbat Shubah: Reaccepting upon ourselves the Torah. |
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Ha’azinu |
Prior to Sukkot. Sometimes Shabbat Shubah. |
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Zot Haberacha |
Simhat Torah Festival |
[1] According to Gabriel A. Shrem, for all instances the Maqam Hijaz is used, it is mixed with Maqam Bayat, except for Perashat Debarim, where Maqam Hijaz is used in its purest form without mixing it with Bayat.
[2] The pizmon “da’at umzima” is always applied to the “Nakdishach” in honor of Matan Torah.
[3] No obvious explanation for the usage of this maqam for Perashat Re’eh. Many sources (Ashear and Abraham Eliahu Shrem) advice the usage of Maqam Bayat for this parasha.
[4] Nadaf insight.- Centralized Temple is also a "new beginning".
For tradition of Damascus, see www.shaar-binyamin.com: VAYA'ATEQ MISHAM.
תם ונשלם שבח לאל בורא עולם
יהי רצון שנזכה לשנים רבות וטובות עם כל אחינו בני ישראל מאליפות מרובבות