The gesture behind telisha gedolah ("great pulling away") is defined by the Manuel du Lecteur as "snatched with a finger (or the fingers)". In printed editions this written sign and telisha qetannah have "tails" which distinguish one from the other, and which evidently point out the ascending or descending character of the melodies and gestures they represent. In manuscripts, however, both signs are simple circles.

It appears that to form this gesture, the hand must form (very quickly) the "tube" of thumb and fingers that ends the gesture for telisha qetannah, then descend while closing the "tube" until the rest position is reached. The thumb then marks the first of a descending chain of four degrees (including the sustained degree), as in A-G-F#-E (in minor mode).

Updated December 27, 2011