These twelve selected Piyutim are the gems of Hebrew poetry. Each one represents one or more aspects of the magnificence of this poetry – whether through historic context of the piyut, content, or the author; or through the piyut’s wide circulation and variety of melodies among the communities of Israel. If you will, these are the building stones of the piyut throughout the generations of Israel, from the ancient piyut and until today.
1. El Adon / Unknown |
| One of the most ancient piyutim known to us from the early Israeli era (presumably the 4th century). It is an acrostic piyut following the order of the Hebrew alphabet. The poem sings praise to the creator of the universe, and like many other piyutim of its time it is not written in rhyme. The piyut is spoken of highly in ancient books and is part of the order of prayer of all the communities of Israel. The piyut is sung in various melodies during the morning prayers of Shabbat and holidays.
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Morocco, Performed by Sami Elmaghribi.
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Modzitz Hassidic Traditionm, Performed by Zvi Zelevski, Baruch Brener and Yair Harel.
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Modzitz Hassidic Tradition, Performed by Ehud Banai.
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Bukhara, Performed by Ezra Malakov.
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, Performed by .
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Yemen-Sharadreh, Performed by Binyamin Nachum.
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Yemen-Sharadreh, Performed by Mari Yosef Mazaki.
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Yemen–Sharadreh – High Holidays, Performed by Binyamin Nachum.
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Yemen – Sharadreh – High Holidays, Performed by Mari Yosef Mazaki.
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Israel – Melody by Yehoshua Engelman, Performed by Yehoshua Engelman.
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Algeria – Constantine, Performed by R. Binyamin Asulin.
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Algeria, Performed by Marcel and Yitzhak (Jacky) Amsali.
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, Performed by .
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Morocco, Performed by Maimon Cohen and Shimon Iluz.
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Sfarad Jerusalem, Performed by Yigal Ben Chaim.
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Bobov Hassidic Tradition, Performed by David Mestbaum.
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Modzitz Hassidic Tradition 2, Performed by Ben Zion Shenkar.
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Libya, Performed by Klimo Dus.
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Libya, Performed by Shalom Benattia.
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Amir Benayoun, Performed by .
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Babylon, Maqam: Rast, Performed by R. Moshe Mutzafi and R. Meir Dori.
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Morocco, Nuba: Mazmum-Algeria, Performed by R. Haim Louk.
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Morocco, Nuba: Raml Al-Maya, Performed by R. Haim Louk in concert.
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Morocco, Nuba: Raml Al-Maya, Performed by R. Haim Louk in Kehilot Sharot.
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Morocco, Nuba: Raml Al-Maya, Performed by R. Haim Louk.
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2. Dror Yikra / Dunash ben Labrat |
| One of the most ancient Shabbat piyutim known, it has been loved by many of the communities of Israel over the generations and has been honored with many melodies, many of which easily adapt themselves to this piyut due to its quantitative syllabification. The author of the piyut is Dunash ben Labrat, a 10th century poet and linguist. It was Ben Labrat who introduced and integrated the system of quantitative meter to Hebrew poetry. The time period in which he lived, and Dunash himself, signify the transition period of the center of the piyut from Babylon to Spain, and the incorporation of Arabic meter into Hebrew poetry. |
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Georgia, Performed by Shalom Davidashvili.
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Hassidic, Performed by Baruch Brener.
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Hassidic, Performed by Avraham Weingarten.
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Yemen, Performed by Aharon Amram.
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Yemen, Performed by David Avicazar.
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Sfarad – West, Amsterdam, Performed by Abraham Lopes Cardozo.
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Sfarad – West, Amsterdam, Performed by Mordechai Brom.
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Ashkenaz – Lithuanian 1, Performed by Avraham Kabalkin.
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Bukhara, Performed by Ezra Malakov.
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Ashkenaz – Lithuanian 2, Performed by Avraham Kabalkin.
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India – “Bene Israel” (Bombay), Performed by The Rag Tones Choir.
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Algeria, Performed by Marcel and Yitzhak (Jacky) Amsali.
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Morocco, Performed by The Andalusit Orchestra.
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Morocco, Performed by Maimon Cohen.
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Bobov Hassidic Tradition, Performed by David Mestbaum.
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Persia-Hamadan, Performed by Tuvia Nagari.
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Persia-Hamadan, Performed by Tuvia and Yitzchak Nagari.
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Persia-Hamadan, Performed by Tuvia Nagari.
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Georgia, Performed by Shota Yakovshvili.
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India – Cochin, Performed by R. Avraham Chai Vakil and Yosef Chai Vakil.
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Kurdistan, Performed by Drori Yehoshua.
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Israel – based on a Yemenite melody, Performed by Shlomo Bar.
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Bostoner Hassidic Tradition, Performed by The Admor Levi Yitzchak Horowitz ben Pinchas David, the Bostoner Rebbe.
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India-Delhi, Performed by Ayelet Kolet.
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Ashkenaz, Performed by Leib Glantz.
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Ashkenaz, Performed by Marcel Lang.
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Ashkenaz – Lithuanian 2, Performed by Marcel Lang.
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Babylon, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by R. David Halbi.
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Babylon, Maqam: Hijaz, Performed by Rivers of Babylon.
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Sfarad Jerusalem – Melody: Ezra Aharon, Maqam: Rast, Performed by Ezra Aharon.
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Babylon, Maqam: Siga, Performed by Moshe Havusha.
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Babylon, Maqam: Siga Huzam, Performed by Grandchildren of Gurgi Yair.
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Babylon, Maqam: Siga Huzam, Performed by Shlomo Mualem and David Haba.
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Babylon, Maqam: Siga Huzam, Performed by R. David Halbi.
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3. Yedidi Hashachachta / R. Yehuda Halevi |
| One of the most significant piyutim in the Babylonian and Moroccan traditions. The piyut was written by the poet and philosopher R. Yehuda Halevi (author of The Kuzari, one of the most significant philosophical works of Jewish thought). R. Yehuda Halevi is known as the great poet of the middle ages (12th century), many of his piyutim are sung by all of the communities of Israel and are also incorporated in the prayer services of many of the holidays and festivals. The poem is of the love and longing of the beloved, Knesset Yisrael, for her beloved. The Holy One Blessed Be He. It was written as a “reshut” (an introductory piyut) for the prayer of “Nishmat” for the seventh day of Passover. Like many of R. Yehuda Halevi’s poems, this poem is filled with yearning for redemption and longing for Zion. Legend has it that he made aliyah to Israel and shortly afterwards passed away. |
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Israel - Melody by Amos Yifrach, Performed by Amos Yifrach.
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, Performed by .
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, Performed by .
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Babylon, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by Yehuda Ovadya Ftaya and The Yona Ensemble.
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Babylon, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by Shlomo Mualem and David Haba.
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Babylon, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by Salah and Daud Al-Kuwait.
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Morocco, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by David Avicazar.
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Morocco, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by R. David Buzaglo.
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, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by .
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Morocco, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by R. Haim Louk.
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Babylon, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by Shlomo Mualem.
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Morocco, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by R. Haim Louk in concert.
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Morocco, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by Mordechai Buzaglo.
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4. Shachar Avakeshcha / R. Shlomo Ibn Gabirol |
| One of the “reshut” (an introductory piyut) for the prayer of “Nishmat” written by the poet and philosopher R. Shlomo Ibn Gvirol, one of the great 11th century Spanish poets. The poem is part of the Songs of Supplication repertoire sung by the Jews of Morocco and Haleb. Many of R. Shlomo Ibn Gvirol’s piyutim are included in the various nusachim (orders of prayer), mostly among the High Holiday prayers. The most well known is his philosophical piyut “Keter Malchut” which is read on Yom Kippur.
R. Shlomo Ibn Gvirol was a man of poor health whose life was filled with suffering and hardships. In his short life (he died around the age of thirty) he wrote hundreds of piyutim, many of them written as a “reshuyot” (introductory piyutim) which like this poem are very personal; poems of conversations of man with his maker and with his soul. |
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Sfarad – West, Amsterdam, Performed by Abraham Lopes Cardozo.
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Israel – Melody by Yehoshua Engelman, Performed by Yehoshua Engelman.
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Morocco - Meknes, Performed by Yitzchak Vaanunu.
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Sfarad Jerusalem - Haleb, Maqam: Nahawand, Performed by Members of the Shaharit Ensemble.
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Sfarad Jerusalem - Haleb, Maqam: Nahawand, Performed by Group of Cantors, Jerusalem 1980's.
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Sfarad Jerusalem, Maqam: Nahawand, Performed by Shirat Habakashot Concert, Jerusalem 2006.
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Morocco, Maqam: Nahawand, Performed by Emil Zrihan.
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Morocco, Nuba: Hijaz Al Msharki, Performed by R. Haim Louk. R. Chaim Biton and other Paytanim.
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Morocco, Nuba: Hijaz Al-Kbir, Performed by R. Meir Attia.
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Morocco, Nuba: Isbihan, Performed by Emil Zrihan and The Israeli Andalusit Orchestra.
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Algeria, Nuba: Mazmum, Performed by R. Rachamin Zini.
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5. Achot Ktana / R. Avraham Hazan Girundi |
| This piyut opens the Rosh Hashana prayers and thus the New Year in the Sfard Nusach. It is a love poem of the little sister – Knesset Yisrael, sung to her beloved. The poem conveys her troubles and suffering in the darkness of exile. The poem also holds hope for a good year and a plea for deliverance from exile, all the while emphasizing that the tie not be severed between Knesset Yisrael and her beloved savior. The poem concludes with the words “May the year and its blessings begin”. |
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Morocco, Performed by Sami Elmaghribi.
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Morocco, Performed by Yitzhak Revach.
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Morocco, Performed by Lior Elmalich.
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Yemen-Sanaa, Performed by Aharon Amram.
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Bukhara, Performed by Yair Elyashiav.
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Libya, Performed by Zion Badash and paytanim.
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Libya, Performed by Group of Paytanim.
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Libya, Performed by Yehuda Hayun and Sons.
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Kurdistan-Barashi, Performed by Cantors of the Barashi Family.
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Kurdistan-Amedia, Performed by Group of Cantors.
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Persia – Teheran, Performed by Yaacov Bnafsha.
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Skver Hassidic Tradition, Performed by Pinchas Govrin.
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Skver Hassidic Tradition, Performed by Pinchas Govrin (accompanied by a story).
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Persia-Shiraz, Performed by Yakar Shukri.
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Israel (20th Century) - Melody Zvi Zelevski, Performed by Zvi Zelevski.
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Israel (21th Century) - Melody Tal Nae, Performed by Tal Nae.
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Tunisia, Performed by Ilan Damri & Rami Damri.
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Turkey – Saloniki, Performed by Group of Paytanim accompanied by a Chamber Orchestra.
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Turkey – Saloniki, Performed by Group of Cantors.
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Sapin Jerusalem, Performed by Members of the Shaharit Ensemble.
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Sfarad Jerusalem, Performed by Ezra Barnea with cantorial students.
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Sapin Jerusalem, Performed by Yehezkel Zion.
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Sfarad – West, Amsterdam, Performed by Abraham Lopes Cardozo.
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Spanish Jews, Performed by Esti Keinan-Ofri.
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Georgia, Performed by Group of Cantors.
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India – Cochin, Performed by Group of cantors, Moshav Nevatim.
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Eastern Caucasia (The Mountain Jews), Performed by R. Rahmoni Bin Gadiil.
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Kurdistan-Zacho, Performed by Group of Cantors.
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Greece - Chalkis, Performed by Menashe Cohen.
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India – Cochin, Performed by R. Avraham Chai.
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Italy, Performed by Dario Israel.
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Haleb, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by Members of the Shaharit Ensemble.
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, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by .
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Babylon, Maqam: Siga, Performed by Yehuda Ovadya Ftaya and The Yona Ensemble.
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6. Yigdal Elohim Chai / Daniel ben Yehuda Dayan |
| One of the more well known piyutim among the communities of Israel, some of which tend to sing it to conclude the Shabbat evening prayers. The author of the poem is R. Daniel ben Yehuda Dayan, who lived in 13th century Italy. The piyut is based on Maimonides’ thirteen principles of faith. The poem was put to several melodies, those composed specifically for the poem and existing ones that were fitted to the words of the piyut. |
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India – “Bene Israel” (Bombay), Performed by Bene Israel Congregation.
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Konigsberg (Germany), Performed by Naftali Hershtik.
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Georgia (Western Caucasia), Performed by Group of Cantors.
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Kurdistan-Zacho, Performed by Group of Cantors.
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, Performed by .
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Eastern Caucasia (The Mountain Jews), Performed by R. Rahmoni bin Gadiil.
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Ashkenaz, Performed by Group of Singers.
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Italy, Performed by Azeglio Servi.
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Algeria – Oran, Performed by R.Meir Zini.
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Balkan – Bulgaria, Performed by The congregation of Temple Sinai, Jaffa.
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Bukhara, Performed by Ezra Malakov and Roshel Aminov.
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Yemen – Sharadreh Holiday melody, Performed by Binyamin Nachum and Cantors.
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Ashkenaz, Performed by Asher Heinovitz.
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Morocco 1, Performed by Yitzhak Revach and Cantors.
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Turkey - High Holidays melody, Performed by Group of Cantors.
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Israel, Performed by Amir Benayun.
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Morocco 2, Performed by Maimon Cohen and Shimon Iluz.
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Italy 2, Performed by Leo Levi.
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Italy 3, Performed by Guido Heller.
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India, Performed by The Rag Tones Choir.
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Morocco 3, Performed by Maimon Cohen and Shimon Iluz.
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Morocco 4, Performed by Maimon Cohen and Shimon Iluz.
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Georgia, Performed by Shota Yakovshvili.
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Libya - Holiday Melody, Performed by Klimo Dus.
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Algeria – Oran, Performed by Shmuel Cohen.
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Ashkenaz – Alzas, Yom Kippur Melody, Performed by Alphonse Saraf.
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Israel - Melody: Yoel Ben-Simhon, Performed by Yoel Ben-Simhon and Sultana Ensemble.
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Libya - Shabbat Melody, Performed by Zion Veturi.
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Sfarad - West, Performed by Abraham Lopes Cardozo.
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India-Delhi, Performed by Ayelet Kolet.
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Sfaradim – Turkey, Performed by Baruh Hason.
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Sfarad Jerusalem, Performed by Ezra Barnea.
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Algeria, Performed by Daniel Ashkenazi.
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Ashkenaz-Poland-Sosnowitz, Performed by Yehezkel Zentner.
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Central Yemen 2, Performed by Hadar Ben Zion and Zion Golan.
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Morocco, Nuba: Rasad, Performed by R. Haim Louk.
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7. Lecha Dodi / R. Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz |
| This Piyut, a gem of Jewish poetry, was written by R. Shlomo Alkabetz of the 16th century Tzfat Kabalists. Despite that the siddur (order pf prayer) was already sealed, the piyut was quickly accepted into the prayer liturgy of all the communities of Israel. This testifies to the great intensity and strength of this remarkable piyut written in layers both of pshat and Sod (simple meaning and hidden meaning). It became the central piyut in Kabalat Shabbat for which many melodies were written, from ancient traditional melodies to contemporary ones (R. Shlomo Carlebach). |
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Ashkenaz – Danzig, Performed by Naftali Hershtik.
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Sfarad – West, Amsterdam, Performed by Abraham Lopes Cardozo.
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Eastern Caucasia (The Mountain Jews), Performed by Group of Cantors.
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Breslov Hassidic Tradition, Performed by Baruch brener and Zvi Zelevski.
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Breslov Hassidic Tradition, Performed by Alon Michael.
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Italy, Performed by Leo Levi.
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Morocco, Performed by Kol Oud Tof Trio.
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Morocco, Performed by Maimon Meni Hacohen and Shimon Iluz.
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Ashkenaz1, Performed by David Ulman.
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Ashkenaz – Sfirat Haomer Melody, Performed by David Ulman.
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Ashkenaz - Ben Hametzarim Melody, Performed by David Ulman.
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France, Performed by Adolf Attia.
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Yemen – Sharadreh, Performed by Binyamin Nachum and Cantors.
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India – “Bene Israel” (Bombay), Performed by The Rag Tones Choir.
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Tunisia – melodies from various sources, Performed by Refael Abuhab.
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Morocco, Performed by The Israeli Andalusit Orchestra.
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Ashkenaz - Melody: Michael David Levi, Performed by Shuli Natan.
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Ashkenaz - Melody: Michael David Levi, Performed by Hanan Yovel.
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Modzitz Hassidic Tradition 1, Performed by Ben Zion Shenkar.
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Modzitz Hassidic Tradition 2, Performed by Ben Zion Shenkar.
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Gaby Shtranger, Performed by .
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Turkey, Performed by Shmuel Ben Aruya.
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Yemen, Performed by R. Aviad Akiva, his sons, and other cantors.
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Chabad Hassidic Tradition, Performed by Moshe Tolshevski.
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Belz Hassidic Tradition, Performed by R. Yirmiyahu Daman.
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Ashkenaz - Melody: Even Idel, Performed by Kehillat Shira Hadasha.
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Hassidut - Melody: Hilel Pelei, Performed by Kehillat Shira Hadasha.
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Persia – Shiraz, Performed by Yakar Shukri.
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Libya, Performed by Zion Veturi.
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Bukhara, Performed by Ezra Malakov.
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Algeria – Oran, Performed by R.Meir Zini.
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Algeria, Performed by Adolf Zarbiv.
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Algeria, Performed by R. Meir Zeini.
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Breslov Hassidic Tradition, Performed by Shraga Levy.
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Ashkenaz-Hazzanut, Performed by Leib Glantz.
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Italy – Livorno, Performed by Daniel Bederida.
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Sfarad, Maqam: Ajam, Performed by Ezra Barnea.
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Sfarad Jerusalem, Maqam: Nawa, Performed by Members of the Shaharit Ensemble.
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North America – Based on a melody from the Abayudaya Congregation, Uganda, Performed by The Hadar Congregation.
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Morocco, Nuba: Arubi Algeria , Performed by Sami Elmaghribi.
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Morocco, Nuba: Zarka Morocco-Algeria, Performed by Maimon Cohen.
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8. Yah Ribon Alam / R. Yisrael Najara |
| One of the most famous piyutim of R. Yisrael Najara. One of the great poets of the people of Israel from the Golden Age in Spain till this day; R. Najara was a son of exiled Spanish Jews and served as the Rabbi of Gaza in the 16th century. He pioneered the way to adopting foreign melodies (mainly Turkish) to suit piyutim, and significantly influenced the development of the poetry and music in his generation and those that followed. Although the piyut is written in Aramaic it is loved throughout the communities of Israel, some sing it on shabbat and others sing it on other occasions as well. The Poem, which glorifies God, has been set to many melodies, from 'nigunim' that vary from Hassidic sect to another, to modern melodies and renditions performed by non-Jewish Westerns bands all over the world. |
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India – “Bene Israel” (Bombay), Performed by Bene Israel Congregation.
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Sfarad – West, Amsterdam, Performed by Hachacham Shlomo Rodrigo Ferrera.
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Algeria – Oran, Performed by Shmuel Cohen.
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Slonim Hassidic Tradition, Performed by Zvi, Razya and Netanel Zelevski.
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Ashkenaz, Performed by Zvi, Razya and Netanel Zelevski.
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Ashkenaz – Austria, Performed by Chaim Giladi.
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Ashkenaz – Austria 2, Performed by Chaim Giladi.
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Bukhara, Performed by Ezra Malakov.
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Bukhara, Performed by Ensemble Mizrach - Maarav.
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Bukhara, Performed by Ezra Malakov and Paytanim.
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Ashkenaz – Lithuanian 1, Performed by Avraham Kabalkin.
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Ashkenaz – Lithuanian 2, Performed by Avraham Kabalkin.
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Ashkenaz – Lithuanian 3, Performed by Avraham Zimmerman.
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Yemen – Sharadreh, Performed by Mari Yosef Mazaki.
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Syria (Damascus), Performed by Moshe Latti.
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Libya, Performed by Klimo Dus.
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Bobov Hassidic Tradition, Performed by David Mestbaum.
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Ruzhin Hassidic Tradition 1, Performed by Prof. Yaacov Rand.
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Ruzhin Hassidic Tradition 2, Performed by Prof. Yaacov Rand.
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Tunisia, Performed by R. Shimon Nataf and R. Eliyahu Gez.
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North America – Melody: Basya Schechter, 21st Century, Performed by Basya Schechter.
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Ashkenaz-Hungary, Performed by Avigdor Herzog.
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Israel – Melody: Chaim David Saracik, Performed by Chaim David Saracik.
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Modzitz Hassidic Tradition, Performed by HaLev VeHma'ayan.
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Ashkenaz - Switzerland, Performed by Yitzhak and Mordechai Brom.
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Ashkenaz 2, Performed by Marcel Lang.
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Ashkenaz 3, Performed by Rodney Zentner.
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Ashkenaz-England – melody: goldberg Family, Performed by Marcel Lang.
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Breslov Hassidism, Performed by Yitzhak Shapira.
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Israel, Performed by Marcel Lang.
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Babylon, Maqam: Ajam, Performed by Moshe Havusha.
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, Maqam: Ajam, Performed by .
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, Maqam: Ajam, Performed by .
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, Maqam: Ajam, Performed by .
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Babylonian, Maqam: Jeharkah, Performed by Grandchildren of Gurgi Yair.
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, Maqam: Jeharkah, Performed by .
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Babylonian, Maqam: Jeharkah, Performed by R. David Menachem.
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Babylonian, Maqam: Jeharkah, Performed by Group of Cantors.
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Babylon, Maqam: Jeharkah, Performed by Yair Dalal.
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Babylonian, Maqam: Jeharkah, Performed by Moshe Havusha.
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Babylon, Maqam: Jeharkah, Performed by Salah and Daud Al-Kuwaiti.
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, Maqam: Jeharkah, Performed by .
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Sfarad Jerusalem – Haleb, Maqam: Jeharkah, Performed by R. David Halbi.
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Tunisia, Maqam: Nahawand, Performed by David Riachi and the Tiferet Hamizrach Choir.
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Sfarad Jerusalem, Maqam: Rast, Performed by Members of the Shaharit Ensemble.
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Babylonian, Maqam: Rast, Performed by Paytanim from the Aram Tzuba Congregation, New York.
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Sfarad Jerusalem, Maqam: Rast, Performed by Congregants of the Ohavei Zion Synagogue, Jerusalem 1960.
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Sfarad Jerusalem, Maqam: Rast Suznak, Performed by Members of the Shaharit Ensemble.
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ìåá, Performed by îåøéñ øåîàðé.
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9. Yedid Nefesh / R. Elazar Azkari |
| This piyut of longing and yearning for the closeness of God holds a highly respected place among the traditions of the communities of Israel. The piyut is sung by various ethnic groups in one of it many melodies whether during Kabalat Shabbat, Shabbat, Tikkun Hatzot, morning prayers, or before dawn, the hour between darkness and light. Few Piyutim have been honored with the privilege of being sung at these hours of special meaning to the people of Israel.
The piyut was written by R. Elazar Azkari of the Tzfat Kabalists in the 16th century, a descendant of the exiled Spanish Jews and author of ‘Safer Haredim’. The piyut, which expresses profound devotion from deep within the heart, is composed of four verses, and is an acrostic poem that spells out the name of God.
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Text (english)
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Morocco, Performed by R. David Buzaglo.
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Ashkenaz, Performed by Zvi Zelevski, Baruch Brener and Yair Harel.
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Ashkenaz, Performed by From the 2008 Piyut Festival, musical arrangement by Nitzan Chen Razel.
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Ashkenaz, Performed by The Shira Hadasha Davening Community.
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Breslov Hassidic Tradition, Performed by Baruch Brener.
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Breslov Hassidic Tradition, Performed by Alon Michael.
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Yemen – Sharadreh, Performed by Mari Yosef Mazaki.
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Libya, Performed by Klimo Dus.
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Israel based on Moroccan melody, Performed by Shuli Natan.
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Modzitz Hassidic Tradition, Performed by Ben Zion Shenkar.
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Bobov Hassidic Tradition - Melody R. Yitzchak of Kaliv, Performed by David Mestbaum.
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Chabad Hassidic Tradition, Performed by .
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Raml Al-Maya Algeria, Performed by Maimon Cohen at Piyut Website Launching.
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, Performed by .
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Israel – Melody: Chaim David Saracik, Performed by Chaim David Saracik.
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, Performed by .
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Bukhara, Performed by Ezra Malakov.
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India – “Bene Israel” (Bombay), Performed by Bene Israel Congregation.
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Tunisia, Performed by Natan Cohen and Group of Cantors.
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Tunisia, Performed by R. Shimon Nataf.
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Israel - Melody: Niro Abekasis, Performed by Niro Abekasis.
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Sfarad Jerusalem, Maqam: Bayat, Performed by Group of Cantors, Jerusalem 1980's.
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Babylon, Maqam: Nawa, Performed by Gurji Yair's Family in concert.
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, Maqam: Nawa, Performed by .
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Babylon, Maqam: Nawa, Performed by Moshe Havusha.
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Sfarad Jerusalem, Maqam: Rast, Performed by Congregants of the Ohavei Zion Synagogue, Jerusalem 1960.
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Raml Al-Maya Algeria, Nuba: Raml Al-Maya - Algeria, Performed by Amir Benayoun.
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Morocco, Nuba: Geribat Alchssin, Performed by R. Meir Attia.
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Morocco, Nuba: Hijaz Al Msharki, Performed by R. Meir Attia.
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Morocco, Nuba: Hijaz Al-Kbir, Performed by R. Haim Louk and Waish Cohen.
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Morocco, Nuba: Hijaz Al-Kbir, Performed by Parashat Mishpatim.
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Morocco, Nuba: Iraq El Ajam, Performed by R. Meir Attia.
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Morocco, Nuba: Istihalal, Performed by Shirat Habakashot Concert, Jerusalem 2006.
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Morocco, Nuba: Raml Al-Maya, Performed by R. Avraham Suissa and students.
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Raml Al-Maya Algeria, Nuba: Raml Al-Maya - Algeria, Performed by R. Haim Louk.
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Raml Al-Maya Algeria, Nuba: Raml Al-Maya - Algeria, Performed by Shlomo Bar.
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, Nuba: Raml Al-Maya - Algeria, Performed by .
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, Nuba: Raml Al-Maya - Algeria, Performed by .
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, Nuba: Raml Al-Maya - Algeria, Performed by .
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10. Adon Hakol / R. Shalom Shabazi |
| A significant piyut in the Yemenite tradition sung on Shabbat and at celebrations. The piyut was written in the 17th century by, one of Yemen’s most renowned paytanim (piyut writers), R. Shalom Shabazi. His name is signed in the form of an acrostic àìùáæé ù"ö ,ù"ö=ùåÉîøåÉ öåÌøåÉ – Shomro Tzuro – watched over by his God. The Piyut serves as the opening song when gathering to sing. The poet writes of the soul if Israel, the Shekhinah and The Holy One Blessed Be He, and concludes with the anticipation of the soon to come redemption of Zion. |
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Text
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Yemen, Performed by Shlomo Dahiani.
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Central Yemen, Performed by Havurat Moreshet.
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Yemen - Sharadreh, Performed by Binyamin Nahum and Cantors.
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11. Melech Goel U'moshia / R. Moshe Hutzen |
| This piyut holds a central place in the Babylonian tradition regarding the month of Nissan in general but more specifically Passover. Over the years it has become somewhat of a redemption ‘anthem’ telling of the month of Nisan and the coming Passover. The piyut was written by R. Moshe bar Tzdaka Hutzen who lived in Baghdad in the end of the 18th century. This was the beginning of the era in which spirituality and Torah flourished and in Baghdad. Though R. Moshe Hutzen wrote many piyutim only twenty-four of them are known to us. Most of them are songs of praise and glory to God and piyutim for the holidays. This piyut tells of the redemption from Egypt and the central events that took place at the time. It especially tells of the night the Jews left Egypt and the Mitzvot that were given then, and for the generations to come. This was the first redemption a “small prototype” of the final redemption that, like the redemption from Egypt, is to come in the month of Nisan. |
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Text
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Babylon, Maqam: Rahaw Jeharkah, Performed by Kehilot Sharot.
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Babylon, Maqam: Rahaw Jeharkah, Performed by Shlomo Mualem.
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, Maqam: Rahaw Jeharkah, Performed by .
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, Maqam: Rahaw Jeharkah, Performed by .
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, Maqam: Rahaw Jeharkah, Performed by .
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, Maqam: Rahaw Jeharkah, Performed by .
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Babylon, Maqam: Rahaw Jeharkah, Performed by Shlomo Mualem and David Haba.
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Babylon, Maqam: Rahaw Jeharkah, Performed by Haguli Shummel Darzi.
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Babylon, Maqam: Rahaw Jeharkah, Performed by R. David Menechem and Elad Gabay.
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12. Eli Lama Azavtani / R. David Buzaglo |
| This piyut hold a central place in the tradition of the Moroccan Jews. It was written by R. David Buzaglo, one of the great Moroccan poets of the past generation, and the spiritual leader of the community in its times of hardship and crisis during the aliyah to Israel. R. David Buzaglo, a poet and musician, immigrated to Israel in 1965 and passed way ten years later. Despite his blindness, he worked vigorously and was deeply dedicated to passing on the tradition of the piyut. He trained a generation of piyut writers many of whom are still writing today and passing on his legacy to the next generations. In this poem R. David Buzaglo cleverly combines aspects of the thirteen principles by which the torah is interpreted. But most of all one senses his pain over the exile of the shekhinah and the destruction of the Temple.
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Text
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Morocco, Performed by R. Haim Louk and The New Jerusalem Orchestra.
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Morocco, Nuba: Hijaz Al-Kbir, Performed by R. Haim Louk.
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Morocco, Nuba: Hijaz Al-Kbir, Performed by R. Haim Louk.
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