E. Exile- Maqam Hijaz: Taqsim. Eli, Lama Azavtani

This section begins with a Turkish ney taqsim (by Itamar Shahar) in maqam Hijaz. According to the Arabic tradition, this maqam has the power to arouse longing, pain, and yearning. After the petiha, R. Louk sings "Eli lama azavtani", a piyyut by R. David Buzaglo, based on the melody of the Moroccan qasida (a form similar to the ballad). The poet cries out to God to account for His distancing Himself from His people and for abandoning them in their exile. In a paraphrase of the hermeneutic principles of Torah interpretation-  rules for the study of Talmud and halakhah- R. David Buzaglo addresses God and asks Him to fulfill His promise to redeem His nation. In the middle of this piyyut, we hear a surprising modulation toward the major mode of nuba Mazmum, and the atmosphere becomes more optimstic.The change in mood is emphasized by a vocal improvisation introducing the new nuba. In the concluding segment, the meter changes from 4/4 to a stirring 6/8. At the conclusion of this common Andalusian rhythmic acceleration, we hear yet another surprising epilogue (saxophone solo- Daniel Zamir).