W

ith endless new songs hitting the Jewish music scene, can niggunim from centuries ago still resonate? According to singer YOELI KLEIN, the answer is yes.

“The ancient Yiddish songs of Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev have a special place in my heart,” he says. “I love his ‘Ribbono shel Olam, lomir machen a beit,’ where the tzaddik negotiates with Hashem to get his blessing, and I love ‘Meirke, Mein Kind” and ‘Lomir Dertzeilen.’ ”

There are several ancient chassidish songs of boundless emunah and ahavas Hashem attributed to Reb Levi Yitzchok, including “A Dudele” and “A Din Toireh Mit G-tt.” It was the Berditchever Rebbe’s inspirational niggunim that led Klein to compose his song “Peshis’cha,” an up-to-date play on that centuries-old style.

 (Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 716)