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Hijaz refers to Saudi Arabia, which in Arabic is
still known as the Hijaz. This maqam, which originated in Saudi Arabia,
is linked with death, and is used to mark sad occasions that occur on
the calendar, as well as sad occasions that occur in a given parasha. We
use this maqam on the following Shabbats: Haye Sarah mentions the death
of Sarah and the death of Abraham later in the parasha. Vayhi mentions
the death of Jacob and the death of Joseph later on. Ki Tisah discusses
the tragedy of the Golden Calf. Aharei Mot mentions the deaths of
Aaron's children, Nadab and Abihu. Shelah Lecha mentions the spies, and
the punishments that followed. Debarim has no sad event within the
perasha, however, Hijaz is used because it falls out on the Shabbat
before Tisha B'Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar.
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