F. Wanderings

This section begins with a taqsim on the 'ud (by Yaniv Raba) in maqam Nahawand, leading to the Israeli song "Shir ha-noded" by David Shimoni, sung by R. Haim Louk in a exceptional interpretation. The text has been adapted to a popular Bucharian Jewish melody, apparently by Israeli singer Bracha Zefira (c. 1911-1991), who asserts that the poet wrote this poem for her (kolot rabim, Ramat Gan, 1978, p. 183). The harmonic texture of the Israeli song develops into the piyyut "Yonah 'ad anah", which functions as an echo or reply to the former song. This piyyut was written by the paytan, halakhic authority, and kabbalist R. Yaacov, son of R. Reuben Even Zur (Meknes, 543/1673- Fez, 5513/1753). It is sung in the rather uncommon 7/8 meter, with the melody developing in the direction of maqam Hijaz (Tunisian style), The piyyut that follows, "Ya'elam shevani" by R. Israel Najara (d. 5385/1625), is sung in another unique meter of 10/8, and completes the thematic development, suggested by the texts, of wandering in exile and prayer redemption.