February 18, 2025 ~ MISHPATEEM. NAWAH / SABA
By Sam Catton
On this day the world was created.
On this awesome day, the Almighty King judges all of mankind. Every human being stands in judgement, as his good deeds and his misdeeds are reviewed.
Much preparation is done by us, beginning with the annulment of vows forty days earlier, and with our reciting of the Selihot during the entire month of Elul. Each person must make peace with his fellow man, to forgive, in order that the Almighty will forgive us.
The composition of the special prayers, the inspiring poetry, and the moving melodies make all hearts turn away from their perverse ways and brings them to the righteous path. The Great Judge is most anxious to be merciful to us and forgive us of our short-comings when we truly repent. For God wants every person to live.
Maimonides teaches that true repentance requires:
By Sam Catton
After twenty five hours of fasting, prayers, penitence and soul searching, we experience the moving recitation of "EL NORA ALILA", the God of Awe, an entreaty for pardon by the eleventh century Sephardic poet, Moses Ib'n Ezra.
We feel as angels before God as we proclaim seven times "The Lord is God" while bidding farewell to the Shechinah (the Holy Presence) as it ascends above the seven firmaments.
We stand in rapture before the Holy Ark spiritually reinvigorated for the year ahead, with our souls refined and purified.
We go home to break our fast confident that God has accepted our prayers and our Teshubah, and will inscribe us in the "Book of Life" for the year to come.
The melodies employed for the Aleppo prayer services on the Jewish High Holidays predate those applied throughout the year. Whereas during the year, melodies originate from various Pizmonim, Sabbath Baqashot, or even secular melodies, on the High Holidays, the standards are elevated, and the melodies, which are more solemn, come mostly from holy piyutim (liturgical poems) of the Golden Age of Spain as well as from portions of the Selihot. Authors of these piyutim include: Abraham Hazan of Girona, Yehuda Samuel Abbas, Solomon Ibn Gabriel, Yehuda Halevi, Abraham Ibn Ezra, Isaac Ibn Mar Shaul, Israel Najara, and Aharon Eliahou. Benayahu #131, which is a source from H Jacob Rahamim Mishaan of Aleppo, 1780, is the oldest source that lists the High Holiday melodies for the pieces of prayers. Another source with an identical list is Sassoon #647 from Aleppo, circa 1850. One more recent source that is relevant to us are the Hazzanut notes of H Moshe Ashear from 1936-1940. As a general rule, our community’s tradition is to strive and emulate the notes of H Moshe Ashear (1877-1940), the Chief Cantor of Congregation Magen David, as much as possible. In addition to H Ashear's source, Hazzan Gabriel A Shrem composed his own list of suggested melodies for the High Holidays. This list can be found on page 569 of "Shir Ushbaha Hallel VeZimrah," the Red Pizmonim book.
HAZZANUT:
(1) NISHMAT: Ohilah La’El, Hashem Hu HaElohim of Mousa Ashear, or "El Leil Yetawil Alayah."
(2) SHAV’AT ANIYIM AND EL HAHODAOT: There is a special chant used for Shav’at Aniyim and El Hahodaot that is unique for the High Holidays. The melody does not originate from a pizmon.
(3) QADDISH: Rosh Hashana: "Hizqu Vegilu" (from Ahot Qetana), "HaMeborakh," or "Ya Shimkha Aromimkha." Yom Kippur: "Ben Adama."
(4) SEMEHIM: The melody for Semehim is always the flagship melody of the day. For the Shabbat prior to Rosh Hashana, "Ahot Qetana" is applied. On both days of Rosh Hashana, "Et Shaare Rasson" is applied. On Shabbat Shuba, "Lekha Eli" is applied. On Yom Kippur, "Elekhem Qehal 'Eda" (page 510) is applied.
(5) MIMISRAYIM: For Mimisrayim, an old melody in Maqam HIJAZ known as “Yarhiq Nedod” is always applied on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. This piyyut is composed by H Israel Najara (1550-1625). On Shabbat Shuba, “Ya Shema Ebyonekha” is applied for Mimisrayim.
(6) NAQDISHAKH: Sheikh Salama Hijazi, Shoef Kemo ‘Ebed, or Rabat Shab’a (page 478).
(7) KOHANIM: Some cantors apply a "Maqam of the Day" for “Kohanim” based on that day's Torah portion. For 1 Rosh Hashana, Maqam SABA (birth of Isaac). For 2 Rosh Hashana, BAYAT (Aqedat IsHaq). For Yom Kippur, HIJAZ (death of Bnai Aharon).
(8) PIZMON SEFER TORAH: 1 Rosh Hashana: Rina Ut’hila (page 257). 2 Rosh Hashana: Melekh Hamefoar (page 360). Shabbat Shuba: Shabti Shabti (page 151). Arbit Yom Kippur: Rabat Sab’a (page 478). Shaharit Yom Kippur: 'Ozreni El Hai (page 479). Minha Yom Kippur: Shokhen Ruma (page 451).
Section | Pizmon | Page | Song | Commentary | Recordings | Application |
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2226 | אין כאלוהינו ביאת | Maqam Bayat |
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2229 | הללויה לראש השנה |
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הללויה | |||
5745 | תקיעת השופר |
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5564 | תפילות לפני תקיעת השופר | Prayers recited before the Shofar ceremony. |
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2102 | 514j | אחות קטנה | ![]() |
G. Shrem M. Tawil Recording S Antebi I Cabasso G Shrem - Semehim Moshe Dwek - Ahot Qetana Moshe Dwek - HM |
ה' מלך | |
2103 | ינוב פי ניב ישיח | ![]() |
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הללויה | ||
2104 | 514v | אוחילה לאל אחלה פניו | This is also used prior to the Amidah of Musaf on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. |
I. Cabasso - Nishmat I. Cabasso G. Shrem Recording- Nishmat Recording M Kairey Moshe Dwek - Nishmat Moshe Dwek |
נשמת | |
4859 | El Leil Yetawil Alayah | ![]() |
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נשמת | ||
2105 | ה' הוא האלוהים | נגמת מוסה אשר ע"ה |
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נשמת | ||
Hoseni | 416 | 339 | יה חסדך גלי | ![]() |
G. Shrem E. Menaged G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording M Habusha I Cabasso- SA Shabetai Laniado- HM Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - SA |
שועת עניים |
2106 | 514u | ישראל עבדיך |
G. Shrem G. Shrem Moshe Dwek |
אל ההודאות | ||
2107 | בן אדמה | ![]() |
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קדיש | ||
2108 | 514k | עת שערי רצון | ![]() |
G. Shrem Recording- Yigdal Recording- Semehim S Antebi I Cabasso Moshe Dwek - HM Moshe Dwek - Semehim Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek |
שמחים | |
2109 | ירחיק נדוד דוד נעמן | ![]() |
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ממצרים | ||
2110 | 514u | שואף כמו עבד | ![]() |
G. Shrem Recording Recording- Qedusha I Cabasso Moshe Dwek - HM Moshe Dwek - Naqdishakh Moshe Dwek |
נקדישך | |
2111 | Unspecified Traditional Melodies |
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2112 | ירושלמית | This is the melody that use in Jerusalem for Keter. There is no known pizmon for this melody. |
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כתר | ||
2113 | יצו האל לדל שואל |
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ואני תפלתי | |||
2114 | שיך סלאמה חג'אזי | Maqam Hijaz |
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נקדישך | ||
2115 | 514r | יה שמך ארוממך | ![]() |
G. Shrem I. Cabasso E Menaged Moshe Dwek |
קדיש | |
2116 | S24 | יה שמע אביוניך | ![]() |
G. Shrem Recording- Rau Banim I Cabasso - Rau Banim Moshe Dwek - Rau Banim Moshe Dwek |
ראו בנים |
Section | Pizmon | Page | Song | Commentary | Recordings | Application |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hoseni | 613 | 512 | רשות לברוך שאמר |
G. Shrem M. Tawil Moshe Dwek |
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2117 | כי לה' המלוכה לימים הנוראים |
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דוגמא | |||
2118 | ומבלעדיך | Sample of how to read plainly after Nishmat and throughout the prayers prior to the Amidah. |
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דוגמא | ||
2119 | שועת עניים בלתי נגון | Most commonly used. |
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שועת עניים | ||
2120 | אל ההודאות בלתי נגון | Most commonly used. |
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אל ההודאות | ||
2121 | 514v | עמידה |
G. Shrem (1/2) G. Shrem (2/2) Recording Amidah 2 Recording- Kohanim- Hijaz Recording Amidah 1 Recording- Yir'ah Lobeshim Before Qedusha Recording- Atah Qaddosh Haim Asriqi, 1911- Amidah of High Holidays |
דוגמא | ||
5800 | עמידת מוסף לראש השנה | The following are the paragraphs of the Amida prayer of Musaf Rosh Hashana. Recordings here by Hazzan Saul E Tawil, cantor of Congregation Beth Torah. |
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Section | Pizmon | Page | Song | Commentary | Recordings | Application |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2227 | 514q | אל נורא עלילה |
Recording Moshe Dwek |
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2228 | 514p | כל נדרי |
Recording S Antebi Moshe Dwek |
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2230 | ה' יום לך |
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פיוט | |||
Selihot | 2231 | S5 | למענך |
S Antebi Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek |
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2122 | אשם וזע מזדונהו | Recited prior to Minha on Yom Kippur. Piyyut has fallen out of use in most congregations. |
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פיוט | ||
Selihot | 2123 | S32 | אתאנו לחלות | Selihot. |
Bnai Yosef Recording Moshe Dwek |
פיוט |
Selihot | 2124 | S34 | אליך ה' נשאתי | Different pizmonim melodies that can be applied to this piece according to Sassoon Manuscript 647 and Gabriel A Shrem: עת שערי רצון, לך אלי תשוקתי, ה' בוקר, אליכם קהל עדה, חביב אללה אליהו, כי אשמרה שבת, יאמר נא ישראל, שחר אבקשך, יום זה לישראל, אין כאלוהינו, מדבש ונופת צוף, אודך אודך, תען לשוני ותגיד, על חון על בת, ערבים שבת אחים, נשאם עד עולם, זלף כמטר זלף, אמרי פי והגיוני, במוצאי יום מנוחה, אות אלף מאלפת |
Recording Recording- Ajam- Full Song Selihot 8- Elekha Hashem Ajam/Rast D Binker-Duek- BAYAT Moshe Dwek |
פיוט |
2125 | ה' בקול שופר | Before blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashana. |
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פיוט | ||
2126 | שפל רוח | ![]() |
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פיוט | ||
2127 | 514j | חזקו וגילו מאחות קטנה | This is the last verse of the above song. that the cantor sings alone. |
G. Shrem I. Cabasso S Antebi |
פיוט | |
2128 | 514l | חון תחון על בניך | Binyanim Hazak--- Opens the prayers for the Second night of Rosh Hashana--- closes the Selihot prayers--- |
Recording Recording D Binker-Duek - version 1 D Binker-Duek- version 2 I Cabasso Moshe Dwek - Hon Tahon |
פיוט | |
2129 | 514n | לך אלי תשוקתי | ![]() |
Recording M. Tawil Recording S Antebi |
פיוט | |
2130 | 514m | אלהי אל תדינני | ![]() |
G. Shrem M. Tawil Recording I Cabasso Moshe Dwek |
פיוט | |
2131 | 514o | ידי רשים | ![]() |
G. Shrem M. Tawil Recording S Antebi I Cabasso Moshe Dwek - Qaddish Moshe Dwek |
פיוט | |
2132 | 514o | המבורך | ![]() |
G. Shrem I. Cabasso I. Cabasso - Qaddish M. Tawil S Antebi Moshe Dwek - Qaddish |
פיוט | |
2133 | 514s | שנאנים שאננים |
M. Tawil Moshe Dwek |
פיוט | ||
2134 | 514q | אלהים אלי אתה |
M. Tawil Moshe Dwek |
פיוט | ||
Selihot | 2135 | S2 | לך אדני הצדקה | Different pizmonim melodies to be transposed to this piece according to Sassoon Manuscript #647: אלהי אל תדינני, המבורך, אוחילה לאל, חביב אללה אליהו, במוצאי יום מנוחה, המרחם, ה' יום לך, בעוד לייל |
Selihot 1- Lekha Hashem Hasedaqa- Rast E Menaged Selihot 1952 |
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4874 | היום הרת עולם |
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Section | Pizmon | Page | Song | Commentary | Recordings | Application |
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4040 | 509q | יודו שמך רב עלילה | ![]() ![]() |
Recording Recording- Qaddish Pizmon |
נשמת | |
Baqashot | 10 | 20 | ה' בוקר | ![]() |
Archives I. Cabasso M. Tawil G. Shrem Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - HM |
ה' מלך |
Mahour | 178 | 149 | עד ה' אלהיך ונשובה | ![]() |
G. Shrem Fule Yanani G. Shrem Recording H Abraham Zafrani |
אל ההודאות |
Mahour | 182 | 151 | שבתי שבתי | ![]() |
G. Shrem I. Cabasso - Halleluyah G. Shrem Recording M Habusha- Mimisrayim I Cabasso Eliahu Saal- Qaddish I Cabasso- Mimisrayim Moshe Dwek |
שמחים |
Mahour | 190 | 155 | לביתך יה ארוצה | ![]() |
I. Cabasso Recording |
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Bayat | 302 | 239 | נורא ורם | ![]() ![]() |
S. Salem E. Sayegh Fule Yanani G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording Y Nahari H Abraham Zafrani D Binker-Duek |
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Bayat | 303 | 239 | יהי נא לן נחת | Tabbush Manuscript |
G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording Maury Blanco |
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Bayat | 306 | 241 | אל יצרת | ![]() |
G. Shrem G. Shrem - Qedusha G. Shrem R Elnadav- Qaddish Naftali Tawil- Qedusha I Cabasso- Nishmat |
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Bayat | 311 | 243 | שבחו אל רוממו | Hatan/Kallah. British Library Or. 10375 |
E. Sayegh Kaddish G. Shrem E. Sayegh G. Shrem Recording I Cabasso- Nishmat |
נשמת |
Bayat | 336 | 257 | רנה ותהלה ישראל | ![]() |
M Kairey Fule Yanani Recording Semehim Maury Blanco Moshe Dwek |
שמחים |
Rahawi Nawah | 437 | 360 | מלך המפואר | ![]() |
G. Shrem G. Shrem 2 G. Shrem Recording |
שמחים |
Sigah | 543 | 451 | שוכן רומה | Rosh Hashana. |
M. Nadaf I. Cabasso I Cabasso |
פזמון |
Hijaz | 571 | 476 | אל רם נורא ואיום | ![]() |
G. Shrem Recording G Shrem- Semehim I Cabasso- Pizmon & EH I Cabasso- Naqdishakh |
שמחים |
Hijaz | 574 | 478 | רבת שבעה לה נפשי | ![]() ![]() |
E. Menaged - Qaddish I. Cabasso G. Shrem Recording Recording- Qedusha I Cabasso G Shrem G Shrem Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - Nishmat Moshe Dwek - Qaddish Moshe Dwek - Qaddish Moshe Dwek |
נקדישך |
Hijaz | 575 | 479 | עזרני אל חי | ![]() ![]() |
G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording Arabic: Ya Farid G Shrem- including Qaddish G Shrem Moshe Dwek Moshe Dwek - SA Moshe Dwek - SA |
שועת עניים |
Hijaz | 580 | 482 | רודף צדק ומשכיל | ![]() |
I. Cabasso Recording |
ממצרים |
Hijaz | 612 | 510 | אליכם קהל עדה | ![]() |
G. Shrem Recording Recording- Semehim G Shrem- including Semehim Moshe Dwek - Semehim Moshe Dwek - Semehim |
שמחים |
2116.02 | דוגמאות מיום הכפורים | Sample Yom Kippur Prayers |
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4870 | דוגמאות לשבת שובה |
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Pizmonim for Rosh Hashana according to Sassoon Manuscript #647, Aleppo, circa 1850.