3. Kālḥu Kʷelomu Melā’ǝkta Samāy

A prayer with similarities to and variations on the texts comprising the Qeddushah of the Jewish liturgy. It is part of the morning prayer on any Sabbath of the year. The melody, however, changes on the morning of the Seventh Sabbath. This text is also found in the morning service on Sǝrq Warḥi /Tchereka Bāʻal but with a different melody. It describes God’s attributes, manifestation and throne. It goes on to describe all His creatures, heavenly or earthly, indicating that they praise Him, bow before Him and ask that their prayers be heard. Though entirely composed, this prayer echoes Isaiah 6:1 6 and expands on it. It describes how angels in each of the seven heavens praise God, beginning with “Qeduś, qeduś” (only twice).

This prayer greatly differs from the two preceding ones in its formal organization. It contains three different sections: an antiphonal section, followed by a long solo – a very rare occurrence in the Beta Israel liturgy – and a short conclusive formulation sung in turns by the soloist and the choir.