Shirei David - שירי דוד

 Hi everyone, Just updated the site with four new chapters of Tehilim and the piyut in honour of the tzadik R' Yitzhak Abuhatzeira called "Aufa Eshkona" - the piyut is in maqam sika. Below is that video

Lag Ba'omer marks the end of the mourning period for the students of Rabbi Akiva. In addition it is also the Hilula or Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai. Songs about Rbi Shimon were composed throughout the generations by many tzadikim. Here are 3 songs for your enjoyment. This is the traditional song of Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai, sung in a traditional Moroccan melody. This song was composed by Rabbi Yaakob Abuhatzeira in honour of Rbi Shimon. I adapted a Sahli tune to the words from the songs "Yadecha Tanheni" then switched the tune to "Mezulzelet" Last we have this song composed by the Ben Ish Hai in honour of Rbi Shimon. I put the tune of Sha'ar Petah Dodi to the words. May the merit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai protect all of Klal Yisrael, Amen.

The following three songs are sung in honour of the famous Tanna Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes whose Hilula is today (14 Iyar). This song is the most popular song for the Hilula in my community in Toronto. It can be adapted to any quatrain song like Rau Banim. It is very easy to learn with the the line Rbi Meir Baal Hanes repeating itself as the chorus. This song is the most popular song for the Hilula worldwide. Maybe it's because the tune is so familiar. The tune for this song is often used for the words "Yoducha Rayonai" that we sing as part of the Zemirot of Shabbat. Maqam Sahli. This Moroccan song speaks about the wonders and beauty of the holy city Teverya (Tiberias). Although it's not specifically directed to Rabbi Meir, since there is a stanza that speaks to him, the custom is to also sing this during his Hilula. The maqam is Sika.

This song is of the most popular songs attributed to the Abuhatzeira dynasty, written by the famed Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, also known as the Baba Sali. The maqam is sahli and is quite easy to learn In this recording I adapt the Kadish to the tune as well. This tune can fit in any other quatrain song or part of Tefila such as: Ki Eshmera Shabbat Yoducha Rayonai El Adon Yigdal Lecha Dodi

I heard this catchy tune when I visited Morocco over ten years ago at the kever of Rbi Amram BenDiwan. It is my go-to tune for any hilula. The tune and words were composed by Albert Suissa and many lyrics of our tzadikim have been adapted to this tune since everyone loves it so much. I do my best to sing it in Arabic (words posted). If I made some mistakes in pronunciation, I apologize. This song's maqam goes well with Zarka or Mzmoum.  In the recording I sing the tune to Rau Banim and Lecha Dodi, however it can be used for any quatrain song. Enjoy!

As one of my all time favorites, this song goes down in the record books for the most sung piyut for a hilula; any hilula that is. Composed by Rabbi Yaakov Ben-Atar in honour of the Rabbi Yaakob Abuhatzeira zt"l, Moroccan Jews around the world wait for the 20th of Tevet to celebrate his life and the ceremony is culminated by singing this piyut. There have been many adaptations to the song in recent years. Some have changed the tune, some have altered the words to fit their own respective tzadik, but I assure you this is the original. The maqam is Iraq (as are many songs of the hilula).

Part of the Abuhatzeira dynasty, Rabbi David Abuhatzeira was one of the prominent sages of Morocco during the late 19th century and early 20th century.  Facing lots of persecution at the time, it was told that the evil Moulay Muhammed overtook the throne and decreed that all Jews in the Tafilalet region shall die. Rabbi David prayed for the sake of the people and on the day that everyone was to be executed, he informed his people, that he will be the only one dying that day. As he predicted, the people of the region managed to convince Moulay Muhammed to spare the Jews and only kill the Rabbi of the town since the loss of Jews would me less taxes. Rabbi David Abuhatzeira was murdered on the 14th of Kislev, 5680 - - the 6th of December 1919 - al kiddush Hashem.   This song, taken from the abundant Abuhatzeira poems in Yagel Yaakov, is in his honour.  May the merit of Rabbi David Abuhatzeira protect all of Klal Yisrael, Amen.