Chabad niggunim

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Like many other Hassidic movements,

niggunim, or traditional melodies. Chabad niggunim were either composed or taught by the Rebbe of Chabad or their Hassidim.[1] Niggunim are used to aid for meditation during Chasidic prayer or Torah study, as well as during farbrengens.[2] some of these ancient Chabad melodies have recently made their way into mainstream music.[3]

The Chabad style of niggun

Chabad niggunim are admired across Hasidism for their intellectual content, expressing the aim in Chabad to investigate

outreach, though the classic ideal is venerated in legendary accounts of Hasidim, told in Farbrengen
gatherings.

Chabad Rebbes told of two characteristic categories of follower, the "Oveid" who seeks practical Divine "service" from their mystical inspiration, and the "Maskil" whose first aim is deeper understanding of Hasidic thought. The average person can combine both archetypes in their daily life. Some Chabad niggunim are more suited to moments of inward contemplation, and others celebrate and inspire outward fulfillment. One renowned story both cautions against mixing the two necessary aspects, and also playfully recommends not to be overly concerned by their overlap:

A well known Hasid was filling out the company accounts at work. In the final tally, he answered the question of total outcome with the Hasidic aphorism that "Ein Od Milvado"! This means, "There is nothing outside of God", as in Chabad

Divine Unity
means only God truly exists. His fellow Hasid reprimanded his mixing of Hasidic and secular life. He replied that in prayer, people are not usually upset by their minds being diverted in secular thoughts. So, he concluded, it isn't so bad for holy thoughts to intrude in Worldly matters!

In Hasidic terminology, meditative dveikus niggunim correspond to "Lower

Teshuvah" (Lower Return to God), and celebratory joyful niggunim to "Higher Teshuvah" (Higher Return). In Hasidic philosophy, such as explained in the third section of the Tanya, Teshuvah does not only involve repentance and rectification of previous spiritual faults. Rather, as the Baal Shem Tov taught, even perfectly righteous Tzadikim should return to God, in the higher Teshuvah of continual ascent in holiness. According to Kabbalistic exegesis of the Hebrew word "Teshuvah" (תשובה), it means "Returning the letter hei" (תשוב-ה). The Tetragrammaton Divine name has two letters "hei", the second one corresponding to the lower revealed levels of the Four Worlds
, and the first one corresponding to the higher concealed realms. Lower teshuvah returns the second hei in rectification, higher teshuvah redeems the higher hei in holy ascent. The seventh Rebbe of Chabad taught that the main focus of our generation is in the "Higher Teshuvah". Accordingly, while the main niggunim of the previous Chabad Rebbes were meditative, many of the niggunim of the seventh Rebbe are joyful outward expressions.

Chronological list of Chabad niggunim

On auspicious days in the Jewish calendar, the main niggun of each Rebbe is sung in Hasidic gatherings in successive order. This can take place on 19 Kislev, the last day of Passover or at the close of Shavuot.

Niggunim of the Baal Shem Tov and his Students

The first two generations of the general

Maggid of Mezeritch
.

  • Baal Shem Tov's Niggun
  • Shpoleh Zeideh's Niggun
  • Niggun of Three Stanzas

Niggunim of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi

soul searching
and inward ecstasy in prayer

First generation of Chabad.

Niggunim of Rabbi Dovber Schneuri

Second generation of Chabad. Rabbi Dovber (also known as the Mitteler Rebbe) did not compose melodies of his own. Rather, his followers formed a choir called "The Mitteler Rebbe's Kapelya" would compose melodies.

  • Padah Beshalom
  • Nye Zhuritye Chloptzi
  • Anna Avda Dekudesha Berich Hu
  • Niggun of the Mitteler Rebbe's Kapelya

Niggunim of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn

Third generation of Chabad.

  • Yemin Hashem
  • Nigun Histatchus

Niggunim of the Shmuel Schneersohn

Fourth generation of Chabad.

  • Lechatchila Ariber
  • Haneiros Halalu

Niggunim of the Rebbe
Rashab

Fifth generation of Chabad.

  • Rostover Niggun
  • Hachanah Niggun

Niggunim of Rabbi
Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn

Sixth generation of Chabad.

  • Beinoni

Niggunim of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson

Joyful nigunim, often sung in company, celebrate Hasidic camaraderie and festive joy

Seventh generation of Chabad. The Rebbe taught a new niggun on every

Simchas Torah
1974. He also taught Tzamah Lecha Nafshi and Asader Lesuedasa on Shabbos during the years 1953 and 1954, and Vehi She'amda on Pesach in 1954.

  • Vehi She'amdah
  • Asader Lise'udasa
  • Darkecha Elokeinu
  • Ki Anu Amecha
  • Tzomah Lecha Nafshi/Ech Ti Duren Marko
  • Niggun Shamil[4]
  • Rachamana De'onei
  • Atah Vechartanu
  • Anim Zemirot
  • Stav Ya Pitu
  • Hu Elokeinu
  • Ki Anu Amecha
  • Ha'aderes to the tune of the French anthem La Marseilles

References

  1. ^ Heichal Neginah
  2. ^ A Collection of Chabad Niggunim (Melodies)
  3. ^ "Chasidic Tunes Inspire Rockers – News". Archived from the original on 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2007-11-23.
  4. ^ Matanky, Eugene. "Nigun Shamil: The Soul Endlessly Yearning for What It Has Always Never Been". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)