A Nigun is Forever (CD)

PROGRAM

2. Nodah By'hudah
A lively Chassidic nigun, in the style of Nigunei Simcha, that evokes spirited warmth in the heart of the listener.

3. Mipi Kel
A melody with a distinct middle-eastern flavor, presented by Chassidim of sephardic origin at a Chassidic gathering (farbreng) with the Lubavitcher Rebbe in New York, in the early years.

4. Yifrach
This song was introduced at a farbrengen on 11 Nissan, 5733, commemorating the 71st birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. It is set to words of Psalms: "May the Tzadik blossom and flourish in his time, and may there be an abundance of peace."

5. Yaaleh
A moving melody commonly sung during the high-holiday prayer services. The prayer-poem set to this tune beseeches G-d to accept our prayers. It is replete with deep emotion and sacred yearning.

6. Nigun Simcha
A joyful nigun in three sections, originating with the Chabad Chassidim in Nikolayev, a city in Ukraine, Russia, and transmitted to us by the Chassid, Reb Eli Chaim Althaus. It is expressive of the unique nature of Chassidic joy.

7. Ozreini Kel Chai
This song of joyful repentance, Sephardic in origin, was sung at a farbrengen for the first time by the Chassid, Reb Yehoshua Hadah, who was born in French Morocco and educated in Chabad schools there. It has often been sung at Chassidic gatherings, symbolizing the love and kinship of all Jews. "Help me O G-d to conquer temptation; Without You, O savior, there's no salvation."

8. Nigun Simcha II
A joyous dance nigun in two parts. The melody originates from Nikolayev, a city in Ukraine, Russia. There were many Chabad menagninm (composers; singers) there, who introduced this song to Lubavitch.

9. Nigun Simcha III
A lively song in three sections, which expresses the spiritual elation of its singers in a mounting crescendo.

10. V'ato Omarto
An old nigun in three sections, sung by Chassidim for generations during festive Shabbat and Yom Tov meals and at Chassidic gatherings.

11. Vayivchar
This sweet and flowing melody is of early origin. It was popularized and often sung by the Chassid, Reb Zalman Levitin, of the Russian town of Haditch.

12. The "Benuni"
A very moving and graceful Nigun, exhibiting the renowned warmth and sincerity of Chabad melodies. This Nigun was composed by the Chassid, Reb Aharon Charitonow of Nikolayev. This introspective, soul-searching and spiritually uplifting melody was especially dear to the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson, because it mirrors the state and the mood of the "Benuni" as it is described in the Book of Chabad philosophy, "The Tanya."

13. Nigun Simcho IV 
This is a joyful song in three sections. Even in the most rapturous Chabad nigun the listener may perceive an echo of nostalgic tones. This nigun is basically a continuation of a previous mood of soul-accounting. The Chassid is convinced that he is still far removed from perfection in Torah study and religious practice. Yet, no to be dominated by utter hopelessness and despair, he sings forth a nigun of joy, gaining new strength and courage in his attempt at self-improvement.

14. V'Chol Karnei 
A lively Chassidic nigun, in the style of Nigunei Simcha, that evokes spirited warmth in the heart of the listener.

15. Nigun L'Shabbos V'Yom Tov
This nigun is of early origin, and is widely sung among Chabad Chassidim. It is a stirring melody in four sections, and expresses yearning for spiritual inspiration.

16. Zhebiner Hartz
A melody in four sections, evocative of the heart's fervor. The town Zhebin, in White Russia, was populated by two types of Chabad Chassidim. The "thinkers" who devoted themselves to the intellectual aspects of Chassidut and the "emotive" type who concentrated upon the service of G-d through protracted prayer and melody. Their nigunim were, correspondingly, of two types: Serious, reflective; and the sense-awakening, heart-stirring variety. This melody, as its name (the Heart of Zhebin) clearly indicates, is of the second kind.