Shabbos Farbrengen - (CD)

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

1. Nigun L'Shabbos V'Yom Tov (Yearning)
A somber, yet flowing melody often sung by chassidim, expressing deep yearning for G-d after deep spiritual meditation, and the resulting excitement of the heart.

3. Nigun Simcha (Refreshing)
Known as “Niggun L’Reb Moshe M’Zhebin”. Reb Moshe "Zhebiner" was one of the spiritual mentors (Mashpia) in the original Lubavitch Yeshiva in Lubavitch, White Russia. He was responsible for teaching the students Chassidic ways and teachings. He was considered an “archetype chossid” (Ho’atikim) and despite his many physical suerings was a deeply joyful person. This lively tune was frequently on his lips during Farbrengen and was thus coined by his name.

4. Nigun Hisvaadus II (Repenting)
A melody sung at Chassidic Farbrengen, suggesting repentance.

5. Simcha Medley (Energizing)
a. Niggun Simcha L’Purim From Kublitch, Ukraine. Often sung by chassidim on the Jewish holiday of Purim.

b. Niggun Hakofos An energetic and exuberant song often sung by the Lubavitcher Rebbe at Hakofos on the Jewish holiday of Simchas Torah. It was taught by his father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, who related that according to personal knowledge, this same tune was sung during Hakofos of the Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi [1745-1812] founder of Chabad).

c. Seu She’orim - Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, eternal doors, so the glorious King may enter. Who is the glorious King? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, mighty in battle. (Musaf Rosh Hashana). This lively song is often set to words from the Rosh Hashana Musaf prayers.

6. Niggun L'Shabbos V'Yom Tov II (Meditating)
A popular Farbrengen favorite composed by the elderly chossid Rabbi Aharon Charitonow, noted composer of many cherished Chabad niggunim. Often on the lips of chassidim, it is a song full of emotion, saturated with deep mindful meditation and spiritual arousal of the heart and meditation of the mind.

7. Niggun Hisvaadus III (Soul-Stirring)
Also known as Reb Shlomo Chaim Kesselman’s Niggun. Reb Shlomo Chaim Kesselmen was one of the spiritual mentors (Mashpia) in the Lubavitch Yeshiva in Lod and in Kfar Chabad, Israel. He would often sing this niggun during Farbrengens with his students. A deeply serious melody, lending expression to the eternal yearning and longing of the soul for G-dliness, and its desire to escape the lures of the physical world for the loftier spiritual realms of heaven.

8. Niggun Hisvaadus IV (Restoring)
A popular niggun sung by Chassidim. This is one of those melodies that can be sung slowly and also more lively. With each repetition its intensity increases, until the singer is transported to a new spiritual plane.

9. Niggun Hisvaadus V (Reflecting)
A popular niggun sung by chassidim, and was often sung by Farbrengens of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson (1880-1950). More recently known as “Baumgarten’s Niggun.”

10. Rikud Medley (Delighting)
a. Niggun Rikud 1 A delightful rhythmic tune in the category of Niggunei Simcha (songs for happy occasions).

b. Niggun Rikud 2 Often sung during the after-Shabbos meal “Melaveh Malkah” (escorting the Shabbat Queen) transitioning into the new work week.

11. Niggun Michoel Mizlotchev (Striving)
This melody was composed by the chossid Reb Michel Z’lotchover. It was very dear to the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chassidism (1698-1760). The Rebbes of Chabad would often sing this melody during prayer service and on auspicious occasions. It is considered a heavenly niggun, and is often used as a vehicle for stirring deep repentance. According to tradition, the Baal Shem Tov referred to this melody as “Hisorerus Rachamim Rabim Niggun” (inducing enormous mercy song). 

The Magid of Mezritch (1704-1772) related that the Baal Shem Tov requested that this song be sung right before his passing. The Baal Shem Tov then said, “I promise today and for generations, that when,where, and whomever sings this “Rachamim Rabim Niggun” with deep feelings of repentance, no matter in which heavenly chamber (“Heichal”) I myself, I will hear it [as there are angles that bring tidings and information to souls in heaven] and I will sing along with him, arousing abundant mercy for the vcua, kgc (repentant) singer.

Transcribed from a recording by the elderly chossid Rabbi Michoel Dvorkin. This version is the one that the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom Dov Ber Schneerson (1860-1920), testified is the most accurate.

12. Dveykus Medley (Motivating)
a. Dudaleh A ditty whose origin and composer are unclear. Sung many years ago at chassidic Farbrengens, it has been nearly forgotten in recent times.The words are old Russian: Эх ты, дуда ты моя, веселуха ты моя, весели ка ты меня на чужой стороне. (Ech ti, duda ti maya, vesialucha ti maya, vesiali-ka tiy menya nah tchu-zhoy staraneh.) Loose translation as: Hey you, my friend [my soul], you give me such joy, please give joy to me while on the foreign side.

It presents the petition of the Jew to his G-dly soul that it should guard him while traversing the world of physical delight (“on the foreign side”) distant from revealed G-dliness. “Guard me! When I forget my roots, remind me of our true home. Keep me in line, so together we’ll eventually return to heaven mission completed, not having succumbed to the vanities of earth.”

b. “Utzu Eitzah” - Form your plot, it shall fail. Lay your plan, it shall not prevail, for G-d is with us! (Isaiah, 8:10). A lively tune that is widely known in most Chassidic circles. It is often sung to the words above taken from our daily prayers. It lends hope, faith, and instills joy and confidence that G-d is always with us and protecting us.