Babylonian Biblical Chants

Modern–day Iraq, which encompasses the territory of ancient Babylonia, had a sizable and important Jewish population from about the middle of the 6th century BC until the middle of the 20th century. Then, hostility to the establishment of an Israeli state led to the persecution of Iraqi Jews and drove almost the entire community to flee. Many went to Israel; Yehezkel Hai El-Beg (a.k.a. Ezekiel H. Albeg) immigrated to New York City.

This recording of “Victory Songs of Israel”—which actually are passages from Psalms, Exodus, and elsewhere in the Bible—was issued 11 years after the founding of the modern state of Israel and three years after a war with Egypt. Chosen because they reflect God’s support for ancient Israel against her foes, the selections are chanted in traditional unaccompanied Iraqi/Jewish style. Chanting from the Bible is traditional in Jewish services.

Liner notes provide the original biblical Hebrew texts along with English translations.

Track Listing

101	Exodus Chapter 15 Verses 1-26: Moses and Israel	Yehezkel Hai El-Beg	08:04
102	Judges Chapter 5 Verses 1-31: Deborah Victory Song	Yehezkel Hai El-Beg	07:20
103	Samuel 2 Chapter 22 Verses 1-51: David’s Victory Song from the Prophets	Yehezkel Hai El-Beg	07:27
201	Psalms 18 Chapter 18, Verses 1-51: David's Victory Song from the Psalms	Yehezkel Hai El-Beg	07:47
202	Psalms 148-Verses 1-14: Traditional Tune	Yehezkel Hai El-Beg	02:05
203	Psalms 148 Verses 1-14: Saturday in Synagogue Tune	Yehezkel Hai El-Beg	01:23
204	Psalms 148 Verses 1-14: Free Melody	Yehezkel Hai El-Beg	04:30