Avarekh Shem Kevod (Bayat)

Maqam: Bayat

This is is a piyyut of the type called reshut le-ḥatan (lit. “authorization for the groom”), by an anonymous author, sung in honor of the groom when he is called up to the Torah on the Sabbath following his wedding. It begins with praise of God, then asks him to bring joy to the bride and groom and grant them long lives like Abraham and Sarah. It then calls the groom to rise up and read from the Torah, and concludes with a plea for redemption. Interestingly, the piyyut calls for the groom to read a text concerning av hamonim (father of multitudes), referring to the forefather Abraham. This follows the ancient custom of reading in honor of the groom a special Torah portion, unrelated to the portion for that week. This special portion begins with “Ve-Avraham zaken” (Genesis 24:1) and speaks of the successful marriage between Isaac and Rebecca.