Shokhen Bilvavi (Rast- Mahur)

Maqam: Rast-Mahur

This is is one of the three piyyutim in the section titled “Piyyutim for the Reader of the Haftarah.” In most Eastern Jewish communities, young boys were trained to read the Torah and Haftarah (before reaching barmitzvah age of thirteen, the customary age for reading), and when they reached an advanced level, they were called to the Torah to read the maftir portion. This was a joyous event for the boy and his family, and several piyyutim were composed in honor of it.