The maqam of the week

The maqam of the week

A maqam is a melodic mode: a set of notes and a characteristic way of moving between them, used in Arabic and Middle Eastern music. In the Aram Soba tradition the Hazzan sings the Shabbat prayers in a maqam chosen for that week, often connected to the theme of the Parasha.

The maqam for this week is shown at the top of every page next to the date and the Parasha. Some of the maqamat you will hear most are Rast, Bayat, Sigah, Saba, Hijaz, Nahawand and Ajam.

Pizmonim, the community’s sacred songs, are also grouped by maqam, so you can learn the melodies used for each week’s prayers. See the Pizmonim page.