Pick Your Tune

T

he centuries-old, holy niggunim that are part of the Chabad heritage seem to carry the very spirit of the chassidus: introspective and elevating, with a joy that comes from true spiritual connection. Some niggunim were written by venerated chassidim of centuries past, while others were either composed or adopted by the Chabad rebbes themselves_— but all have been transmitted from generation to generation with great care for their authenticity, and remain vibrant and sung until today. With such a rich and varied selection, what’s your personal favorite Chabad niggun?

Benny Friedman

“I think I’d pick the Alter Rebbe’s ‘Kol Dodi Dofeik,’ an utterly unique and heartfelt piece of music.”

Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak, the Previous, or Frierdiker Rebbe, said that this song — one of the famous ten niggunim composed by Rebbe Shneur Zalman of Liadi — has the power to purify and refine a Jewish soul.

Boruch Sholom Blesofsky

“There was a chassid of the Baal HaTanya, a tzaddik called Rav Hillel Parnas, and he wrote beautiful, very complex niggunim. My father used to sing one of them with us — it’s a very musical piece, slow, based on classical music. I don’t think there is a modern recording of it, though.”

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 717)