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?

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)