6. ‘Egzi’o Semāna

A prayer for the morning prayers for any Sabbath, the Seventh Sabbath, the fourth Sabbath of the fifth month, and the Səgd. It is also used for personal requests, such as recovery from illness. It is a call to God, who is asked to listen to those who pray. It lists Moses’ prayers, David’s Psalms, the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the Temple, Elijah and Elisha’s prayers, and Ezra’s prayer, as well as placing a prayer in Noah’s mouth. Just as those who uttered these Biblical prayers were heard, so should their call be rewarded with a positive answer.

Despite its length, this piece is strictly antiphonal: the choir repeats the unique melodic formula first enunciated by the soloist. The variable length of the text’s verses entails the use of recto tono, i.e., the recitation of some passages on the same pitch.