Yom Tov is rich with niggunim that honor our most precious treasure

P

erhaps a reason there doesn’t seem to be that buildup of songs heralding in Shavuos is that the holiday of mattan Torah is preceded by Sefiras Ha’omer. But in fact, this Yom Tov is rich with niggunim that honor our most precious treasure. Is there a story behind your favorite Shavuos niggun?

Moshe Chabusha: Torah’s Honor Crosses Cultures

The iconic “Ashorer Shirah,” the Sephardic classic that has become synonymous with Simchas Torah, siyumim, and all Torah occasions, is part of a beautiful and moving piyut written by Rav Rafael Baruch Toledano, chief rabbi of Morocco, during the time he led the community in Meknes. The Rav brought his writings — and this song — along with him when he arrived in Eretz Yisrael and settled in Bnei Brak in 1963. Moshe Chabusha, popular chazzan and performer of traditional Sephardic song, has enjoyed the spreading popularity of this classic into Ashkenazi circles. “Two years ago, I was invited to play for hakafos sheniyos (the repeat hakafos of Motzaei Simchas Torah) at Toldos Avraham Yitzchak in Meah Shearim. I played the violin and sang, and then the Rebbe requested that I sing ‘Ashorer Shirah Lichvod HaTorah.’ As I sang, I was joined by their large chassidic choir — it was absolutely beautiful,” he says.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 762)