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Category:Chabad personalities

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:11:58 GMT

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	[[Category:~~Categroies~~]]		[[Category:Categories]]

Category:Chabad personalities

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:11:40 GMT

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[[Category:Categroies]]

Category:Women of Beis HoRav

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:11:09 GMT

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[[Category:Categories]]

Freida Klotzker (daughter of the Alter Rebbe)

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:10:47 GMT

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	~~==Freida Klotzker (daughter of the Alter Rebbe)==~~

	[[File:אוהל אדמו"ר הזקן.jpeg\|thumb\|The ohel (resting place) of the [[Alter Rebbe]], where Rebbetzin Freida is buried alongside her father]]		[[File:אוהל אדמו"ר הזקן.jpeg\|thumb\|The ohel (resting place) of the [[Alter Rebbe]], where Rebbetzin Freida is buried alongside her father]]

Sefer Shel Tzaddikim

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:08:14 GMT

Created page with "'''Sefer Shel Tzaddikim''' (''Book of the Righteous'') is a work written by the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, containing Torah teachings addressed to those who stand at the level of a tzaddik as defined in the Tanya — that is, individuals who are entirely free of the yetzer hara (evil inclination), having subdued it completely. The Tanya is known as the ''Sefer Shel Beinonim'' — the "Book of the Intermediate" — because it was writ..."

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'''Sefer Shel Tzaddikim''' (''Book of the Righteous'') is a work written by the [[Alter Rebbe]], Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, containing Torah teachings addressed to those who stand at the level of a [[tzaddik]] as defined in the [[Tanya]] — that is, individuals who are entirely free of the [[yetzer hara]] (evil inclination), having subdued it completely.

The [[Tanya]] is known as the ''Sefer Shel Beinonim'' — the "Book of the Intermediate" — because it was written for the Jewish people at large, all of whom can aspire to attain the level of the [[beinoni]], the person who, while still possessing an inner struggle, never allows the evil inclination to express itself in thought, speech, or action. In parallel with that work, the Alter Rebbe labored over the ''Sefer Shel Tzaddikim'', intended to guide the tzaddikim of the generation in their own distinct path of divine service.

==The Burning of the Book==

The manuscript was destroyed by fire in [[5572 (1811–1812)]], when broad portions of the Alter Rebbe's Torah writings and personal manuscripts were lost to flames. Among the works consumed were sections of his [[Shulchan Aruch HaRav]] (his monumental halachic code), the ''Sefer Shel Tzaddikim'', and additional works.<ref name="fire-igros">Among Chassidim it is told that this fire was connected to the passing of [[the Sabba of Shpola]]. See the Rebbe's letter on the subject: [http://chabadlibrary.org/books/admur/ig/9/2853.htm Igros Kodesh, vol. 9, letter 2853].</ref>

The [[Frierdiker Rebbe]], Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, related that the Alter Rebbe had indeed composed the ''Sefer Shel Tzaddikim'' — and that it was consumed in flames at the very time that the "Shpola Zeide" (the Sabba of Shpola) passed from this world.

[[The Rebbe]], Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, commented on this account: "An explanation of the connection between the passing of the Sabba of Shpola and the burning of the book I have not heard — but I heard both matters together, in one breath, and it is implied that the two are related."<ref name="sicha-miketz-5722">[[Farbrengen]], Shabbos Parshas Mikeitz, [[5722 (1961–1962)]]. Igros Kodesh, ibid.</ref>

==Noam Elimelech==

There is, however, a tradition preserved among Chabad Chassidim that the Alter Rebbe himself said: while his own work is a ''Sefer Shel Beinonim'', the [[Noam Elimelech]] — the foundational work of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk — is the ''Sefer Shel Tzaddikim''. Indeed, beyond the dozens of titles and descriptions by which the tzaddik is called throughout that book, the Noam Elimelech imparts the ways of the righteous: their sacred qualities, their manner of conduct, and the channels through which they draw down blessing and abundance upon the Jewish people.<ref name="or-yekaros">''Or Yekaros'', p. 250.</ref>

==Notes==

<references/>

[[Category:Works of the Alter Rebbe]]

[[he:ספר של צדיקים]]

Igud Tze'atzei Rabbeinu HaZaken

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:05:56 GMT

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	~~==Igud Tze'atzei Rabbeinu HaZaken==~~

	The '''Igud Tze'atzei Rabbeinu HaZaken''' ('''Association of the Descendants of the Alter Rebbe'''), also known simply as the '''Igud HaTze'atzeim''' ('''Descendants' Association'''), is an organization that unites the thousands of descendants of the [[Alter Rebbe]], Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of [[Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidus]].		The '''Igud Tze'atzei Rabbeinu HaZaken''' ('''Association of the Descendants of the Alter Rebbe'''), also known simply as the '''Igud HaTze'atzeim''' ('''Descendants' Association'''), is an organization that unites the thousands of descendants of the [[Alter Rebbe]], Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of [[Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidus]].

Igud Tze'atzei Rabbeinu HaZaken

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:05:41 GMT

Created page with "==Igud Tze'atzei Rabbeinu HaZaken== The '''Igud Tze'atzei Rabbeinu HaZaken''' ('''Association of the Descendants of the Alter Rebbe'''), also known simply as the '''Igud HaTze'atzeim''' ('''Descendants' Association'''), is an organization that unites the thousands of descendants of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidus. The Association is one of the Kuf Alef Mosdos — 101 institutions established at the Rebbe..."

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==Igud Tze'atzei Rabbeinu HaZaken==

The '''Igud Tze'atzei Rabbeinu HaZaken''' ('''Association of the Descendants of the Alter Rebbe'''), also known simply as the '''Igud HaTze'atzeim''' ('''Descendants' Association'''), is an organization that unites the thousands of descendants of the [[Alter Rebbe]], Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of [[Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidus]].

The Association is one of the [[Kuf Alef Mosdos]] — 101 institutions established at the Rebbe's request in the year [[5732 (1971–1972)]]. Its founder and director until his passing was Rabbi [[Shmuel Elazar Halperin]]. Today the organization is led by his sons, Rabbi [[Yitzchak Meir Halperin]] and Rabbi [[Moshe Zvi Halperin]].

==Gatherings and Activities==

The Descendants' Association organizes annual gatherings for descendants of the [[Alter Rebbe]].

The first gathering took place in the 'Beit HaAm' hall in Jerusalem on [[Chanukah]] of [[5733 (1972–1973)]]. It served as the cornerstone of the Association's ongoing activities. In anticipation of the gathering, a letter was received from [[the Rebbe]] containing detailed instructions regarding the event, accompanied by the Rebbe's personal contribution of one thousand Israeli liras toward the costs. On the eve of the gathering, the Rebbe sent a telegram of blessing to the participants. At the gathering itself, it was resolved to hold an annual assembly of descendants.

In [[Menachem Av (July–August) 5733]], a special youth gathering was held in the [[Beit Shazar]] hall in [[Kfar Chabad]], drawing hundreds of young people from across the country. Following the gathering, the Association received a letter from Mr. Aharon Yo'eli Schneersohn — who was then serving as deputy editor of the newspaper *Ha'aretz* — writing: "It was for us an impressive and moving encounter with more of the Rebbe of Liadi's descendants. A first meeting, and I hope it will not be the last."

During [[Tishrei 5734 (1973)]], the Rebbe took the initiative himself and asked Rabbi Halperin to organize a descendants' gathering in the [[United States]], adding that he wished it to take place still within the month of Tishrei. The gathering was duly held on [[Hoshana Rabbah]] in the 'Young Yizrael' hall in the [[Crown Heights]] neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Each year the Association publishes a calendar sent to thousands of descendants, featuring teachings and aphorisms from the Alter Rebbe. Upon the two-hundredth anniversary of the printing of the Alter Rebbe's *Hilchos Talmud Torah* (Laws of Torah Study), descendants received a booklet containing a selection of halachic rulings and Chassidic teachings on the mitzvah of Torah study. Before festivals and significant dates on the Chabad calendar, descendants receive a publication called *Shai LaTze'atzeim* ("A Gift to the Descendants"), containing teachings from the Alter Rebbe and subsequent Chabad Rebbes. Each year before [[Passover]], the Association sends descendants [[matzah]] and wine, together with a fine portrait of the Alter Rebbe.

Among the Association's activities is the annual pilgrimage to the grave of the saintly [[Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel Slonim]] — daughter of the [[Mitteler Rebbe]] and granddaughter of the Alter Rebbe — who is interred in [[Hebron]], as well as efforts to ensure proper care and protection of her resting place.

When [[shluchim]] (Chabad emissaries) wrote to the Rebbe reporting that descendants of the Alter Rebbe lived in their cities, the Rebbe instructed them to connect those individuals with Rabbi Shmuel Elazar Halperin.

Among the descendants are counted Chabad rabbis and [[mashpi'im]] (Chassidic mentors), as well as Admorim (Chassidic masters) of [[Satmar]], [[Bobov]], Kotzk, and Alexander — alongside well-known Israeli public figures, including Supreme Court Justice Mishael Cheshin, MK Avraham Burg, MK Shaul Yahalom, Uri Slonim, prominent figures from Israel's economic and political leadership, and media personalities.

According to the Rebbe, the category of "descendants of the Alter Rebbe" extends to include the spouses of descendants as well. This was expressed during a private [[yechidus]] (private audience with the Rebbe) in response to Dr. Yosef Burg, who pointed to a family photograph and indicated the number of Alter Rebbe's descendants appearing in it; the Rebbe added that Dr. Burg himself should also be counted among the descendants. *(Kfar Chabad, issue 1893, p. 23)*

==Sefer HaTze'atzeim==

{{Main|Sefer HaTze'atzeim}}

In [[5740 (1979–1980)]], Rabbi Halperin published *[[Sefer HaTze'atzeim]]* — a genealogical record tracing the lineage of the Alter Rebbe and the families descended from him, encompassing the entire Beis HaRav family. The work brought the Rebbe particular joy. The [[Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka]] remarked upon receiving her copy that, knowing her husband as she did, she was certain he would read the book from cover to cover.

==External Links==

* [https://baalhatanya.org.il/ Official website of the Descendants' Association]
* [http://www.teshura.com/teshurapdf/Halperin-%20-%20Av%2016%2C%205771.pdf Overview of the Descendants' Association]
* [http://chabad-il.org/hit/hit140.htm#4 Descendants of the Alter Rebbe: The Privilege and the Responsibility] — Rabbi Mordechai Menashe Laufer, *HaKesher* journal, issue 140
* [https://col.org.il/news/135543 "The Rebbetzin Called: The Time Has Come to Attend the Descendants' Gathering!"]
* [https://col.org.il/news/140592 New: A Dedicated Website for Descendants of the Alter Rebbe and Chabad Chassidim]

==Notes==

<references/>

[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:The Alter Rebbe]]
[[Category:Descendants of the Alter Rebbe]]

[[he:איגוד צאצאי רבנו הזקן]]

The Niggun Kol Dodi Dofek

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:03:34 GMT

Raphaelwilmowsky moved page The Niggun Kol Dodi Dofek to Niggun Kol Dodi Dofek

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	The ~~niggun~~ '''Kol Dodi Dofek''' is one of the ~~ten niggunim~~ of the Alter Rebbe. In Sefer HaNiggunim ~~it appears as the fifth niggun~~.		[[File:היי.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Sheet music of the nigun]]
			The [[nigun]] '''Kol Dodi Dofek''' is one of the [[Ten Niggunim]] of the [[Alter Rebbe]], appearing as Nigun No. 5 in [[Sefer HaNiggunim]].

	== ~~References~~ from ~~Our Rebbeim Regarding~~ the ~~Niggun~~ ==		== Statements from the Rebbes About This Nigun ==
	The Frierdiker Rebbe would instruct to sing this niggun during farbrengens of Anash. On one occasion he said about the niggun: "It cleanses the soul and removes from it the sircha (= impurity) which can be discerned in the final movement."

	The ~~Mitteler~~ Rebbe said ~~about the niggun~~: "~~The father (Alter Rebbe) could dig within a chassid~~ and ~~tear out the not-good through Chassidus or a niggun, but this niggun also demands~~ from the ~~chassid. The words of the niggun are~~ the ~~Rebbe's response to~~ the ~~chassid regarding why there is an urgent need for personal avoda~~."		The [[Frierdiker Rebbe]] would instruct that this nigun be sung at [[farbrengen\|farbrengens]] of Anash. On one occasion he said of it: "It cleanses the [[neshama]] and removes from it the sirechah — the impurity — and by the final movement one can already notice this."<ref name="simchas-torah-5689">Sicha of Simchas Torah 5689 (1928).</ref>

	~~== Words~~ of the ~~Niggun ==~~		The [[Mitteler Rebbe]] said of this nigun: {{quote\|My father (the Alter Rebbe) could reach into the inner depths of a Chassid and tear out the unworthy through Chassidus or through a nigun — but this nigun also makes a demand of the Chassid. The words of the nigun are the Rebbe's answer to the Chassid as to why the urgent need for personal inner work.}}
	~~<blockquote>Kol dodi dofek, Pitchi-li achoti Rayati yonati tamati — Shir HaShirim, Chapter 5, Verse 2</blockquote>In Sefer HaNiggunim (Part 2~~)~~, there appears an additional version, more precise and with several additional sections. This is~~ the ~~version that~~ Chassid ~~R' Elchanan Dov Marozov would sing,~~ and this ~~is how it is sung today at~~ the Rebbe's ~~farbrengens~~.

	~~This niggun is Niggun 5 in Sefer HaNiggunim (the additional version - Niggun 211).~~		== Lyrics ==

	In Russia, ~~the~~ Chassidim would also sing this melody ~~with~~ words expressing ~~the~~ longing and yearning to see the Rebbe:<~~blockquote~~>Az der ~~Oibershter~~ vet gebn, gezunt un lebn, ~~veln~~ mir ~~zich zehn~~ mit ~~unzer Rebin~~. ~~Ai Rebbeinu~~, ~~ai Rebbeinu~~, ~~Rebbe~~, ~~Rebbe~~, ~~Rebbe~~... ~~veln~~, veln, mir ~~zich zehn~~, veln, veln, mir ~~zich zehn~~, oy, ~~Rebbeinu~~!~~</blockquote>~~		{{quote\|
			Kol dodi dofek,

			Pitchi li achosi

			Ra'ayasi yonasi tamasi
			\|source=Song of Songs, 5:2}}

			In [[Sefer HaNiggunim]] (Part II), a more precise additional version appears, with several extra passages. This is the version in which the Chassid R' [[Elchanan Dov Marozov]] would sing the nigun, and it continues to be sung at the Rebbe's farbrengens today.

			This nigun is Nigun No. 5 in [[Sefer HaNiggunim]] (the additional version is Nigun No. 211).

			In Russia, Chassidim would also sing this melody to Yiddish words expressing their longing and yearning to see the Rebbe again.<ref name="russia-yiddish">The first half only. The second half, from the words "Ay Rabbeynu" onward, was added after the exodus from Russia in 5706 (1946).</ref>

			{{quote\|
			Az der Eybershter vet gebn, gezunt un lebn,
			Veln mir zikh zen mit undzer Rebn.

			Ay Rabbeynu, ay Rabbeynu, Rebbi, Rebbi, Rebbi...

			Veln, veln, mir zikh zen, veln, veln, mir zikh zen,
			Oy, Rabbeynu!
			}}

	== See Also ==		== See Also ==

	* ~~Niggun~~ 25 ~~- A niggun with~~ identical movements to this ~~niggun~~		* [[Nigun 25]] — a nigun sharing identical movements with this nigun

			== Notes ==
			<references/>

	== External Links ==		== External Links ==
	~~'''About the Niggun'''~~

	* Rabbi Lev Leybman, '''Niggun 'Kol Dodi'''' on the Kir HaNiggunim website

	'''~~Various Performances and Arrangements~~'''		;About the nigun:
			* R' Lev Leibman, [http://nichoach.blogspot.co.il/2016/09/blog-post_18.html '''Nigun "Kol Dodi"'''] — at the Kir HaNiggunim website

	* ~~'''~~Heichal ~~HaNegina • David~~ Horowitz (~~Niggun~~ 5) ~~• David Horowitz (Niggun 211) • Nichoach 2 •~~ Kol ~~Dodi Dofek from Velner~~ - ~~Disc 1 • Kol~~ Dodi ~~from Chanan Bar Sela - Disc 1 • Kol Dodi-Adh"z from Otzar Niguney Chabad 3 • Chassidic Medley from Chassidic Farbrengen~~ 2 • Amir Benayoun • Simcha Friedman and ~~Elaor Velner • 'Malchut'~~ Choir ~~performing '~~Kol Dodi~~' • '~~The Kapelye' together with Benny Friedman • Yonatan Razel~~'''~~ from Tzama 5780 ~~events~~		;Performances and arrangements:
			* [http://www20.chassidus.com/audio/nigun/03-05-Koil-Dodi-from-The-Alter-Rebbe-Heichal-Neginah.htm Heichal Neginah]
			* [https://chabadpedia.co.il/images/e/e9/%28%D7%94%29_%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%9C_%D7%93%D7%95%D7%93%D7%99.mp3 Dovid Horowitz (Nigun No. 5)]
			* [https://www.chabad.org/multimedia/music_cdo/aid/140694/jewish/Kol-Dodi.htm Nichoach 2]
			* [http://www.col.org.il/חדשות_חבד_בכורה_בCOL_עמיר_בניון_מבצע_את_קול_דודי_האזינו_80513.html Amir Benayoun]
			* [http://chabad.info/video/musical-videos/chabad-nigunim/%D7%90%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%96%D7%99%D7%A7%D7%90%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%94%D7%97%D7%91%D7%93%D7%99%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%91%D7%A9%D7%93%D7%94/ Simcha Friedman and Elior Valner]
			* [http://chabad.info/video/musical-videos/chabad-nigunim/%D7%9E%D7%A7%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%AA-%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A6%D7%A2%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%90%D7%AA-%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%9C-%D7%93%D7%95%D7%93%D7%99/ Choir "Malchus" performs "Kol Dodi"]
			* [https://chabad.info/video/musical-videos/chabad-nigunim/681640/ The Kapelye together with Benny Friedman]
			* [https://chabad.info/video/musical-videos/chabad-nigunim/591512/ Yonatan Razel] — from the Tzama events 5780 (2020)

			[[Category:Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe]]
	[[he:ניגון קול דודי דופק]]		[[he:ניגון קול דודי דופק]]

Niggun Tzeinah Ureinah

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:59:30 GMT

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	'''Tzeinah Ureinah''' is a devekus ~~niggun that was~~ sung by the Alter Rebbe. The name of the ~~niggun is taken from a~~ verse in ~~Shir HaShirim~~ (~~Chapter~~ 3~~, verse~~ 11):~~<blockquote>"Tzeinah ureinah b'nos Tziyon bamelech Shlomo ba'atarah she'itrah lo imo b'yom chasunaso uvyom simchas libo"</blockquote>This niggun is one of the ten niggunim of the Alter Rebbe.~~		'''Tzeinah Ureinah''' is a nigun of devekus — cleaving to G‑d — sung by the [[Alter Rebbe]]. The nigun takes its name from the verse in [[Song of Songs]] (3:11):

	~~On one occasion~~, the ~~Alter Rebbe explained~~ the ~~meaning~~ of the ~~words "Tzeinah Ureinah" in avodas Hashem; '''Tzeinah''' - by a person going out~~ of his ~~selfishness, he merits '''Ureinah''' - to see G-dliness~~.		{{quote\|Go forth and gaze, O daughters of Zion, upon King Solomon, upon the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, and on the day of the gladness of his heart.}}

	This ~~niggun has an additional bava (section) that was only found before~~ the ~~publication~~ of ~~Sefer HaNiggunim Volume 2 (Part 1). This additional bava was recorded from the Chossid Reb Dovid Leib Marozov, who heard it from his father Reb Elchanan Dov who learned the ten niggunim directly from~~ the Rebbe ~~Rashab himself~~.		This nigun is one of the [[Ten Niggunim]] of the Alter Rebbe.

	This ~~niggun~~ is ~~niggun #~~4 in Sefer HaNiggunim (additional ~~bava - niggun #~~176).		On one occasion the Alter Rebbe explained the meaning of the words ''tzeinah ureinah'' in the service of G‑d: '''Tzeinah''' — "go forth" — means that when a person goes forth from his own self-centeredness, he merits '''ureinah''' — "and see" — to perceive G‑dliness.

			This nigun has an additional passage that was only discovered shortly before the publication of [[Sefer HaNiggunim]], Volume II (Part I). This additional passage was recorded from the Chassid R' [[Dovid Leib Marozov]], who received it from his father R' [[Elchanan Dov Marozov]], who had learned the [[Ten Niggunim]] directly from the [[Rebbe Rashab]] himself.

			This nigun is Nigun No. 4 in [[Sefer HaNiggunim]] (the additional passage appears as Nigun No. 176).

	== External Links ==		== External Links ==
			* [http://www20.chassidus.com/audio/nigun/03-04-Tze-enoh-u-Re-enah-from-The-Alter-Rebbe-Heichal-Neginah.htm Listen to the nigun] — at the Heichal Neginah website
			* [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/php/audio.php?action=playsong&id=423 Listen to the nigun] — arrangement by R' Elior Valner
			* R' Lev Leibman, [http://nichoach.blogspot.com/2015/12/blog-post.html '''Niggun Tzeinah Ureinah'''] — at the Kir HaNiggunim website
			* [https://chabad.info/video/kids/rebbekids/%d7%a8%d7%91%d7%99-%d7%9c%d7%99%d7%9c%d7%93%d7%99%d7%9d-%d7%a6%d6%b0%d7%90%d6%b6%d7%99%d7%a0%d6%b8%d7%94-%d7%95%d6%bc%d7%a8%d6%b0%d7%90%d6%b6%d7%99%d7%a0%d6%b8%d7%94-%e2%80%a2-%d7%9c%d7%a0%d7%92/ '''Which Rebbe composed the nigun "Tzeinah Ureinah"?'''] — Rebbe for Children

	* To listen to the ~~niggun on the Heichal Neginah website~~		[[Category:Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe]]
	* To listen to the niggun performed by the baal menagen Reb Dovid Horowitz
	* To listen to the niggun arranged by Reb Elior Velner
	* Rav Lev Leibman, '''Niggun Tzeinah Ureinah''' on the Kir HaNiggunim website
	* Rabbi for Children, '''Which Rebbe ~~composed the niggun 'Tzeinah Ureinah'?'''~~

	[[he:ניגון צאינה וראינה]]		[[he:ניגון צאינה וראינה]]

Devekut Niggun for Shabbat (Alter Rebbe)

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:56:00 GMT

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	'''~~Devekut~~ Niggun''' is a ~~niggun~~ of ~~devotion~~ for ~~Shabbat~~ prayers attributed to the [[~~The Alter Rebbe\|~~Alter Rebbe]]. ~~With this niggun,~~ the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe ~~Rayatz~~ would pray with immense ~~devekut (attachment)~~ and ~~enthusiasm according to~~ the Chabad ~~approach~~ every Shabbos when they prayed ~~in private~~.		[[File:חית.jpg\|thumb\|Sheet music of the nigun]]
			This '''Niggun Deveykus''' is a nigun of devekus — cleaving to G‑d — for the Shabbos prayers, attributed to the [[Alter Rebbe]]. Both the [[Rebbe Rashab]] and the [[Frierdiker Rebbe]] (the Previous Rebbe, R' Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) would pray with this nigun, with immense devekus and fervor in the Chabad manner, every [[Shabbos Kodesh]] when they prayed alone.

	The Rebbe ~~Rayatz~~ once ~~expressed~~ about this ~~niggun~~: "When one prays at length and engages in ~~Divine service~~, the ~~niggun~~ emerges ~~by itself~~."		The Frierdiker Rebbe once remarked about this nigun:<ref name="purim-5703">At a farbrengen on Purim 5703 (1943).</ref> {{quote\|When one prays at length and engages in avodah, the nigun emerges on its own.}}

	~~Since~~ the movements of this ~~niggun~~ rise and fall ~~from~~ contemplative thought and ~~deep intent~~ in prayer, and according to the ~~spiritual~~ states and heart ~~feelings of~~ the tzaddik, it is difficult to ~~determine the precise~~ order ~~of the sections of this niggun~~. ~~Sometimes he~~ would ~~sing one section~~ first ~~and~~ sometimes ~~another. He~~ would ~~also sometimes~~ pause between ~~them~~ to recite the words of the prayer, and sometimes he would hum only ~~portions~~ of the ~~niggun~~. ~~Therefore~~, ~~this niggun is presented~~ in an additional version in Sefer HaNiggunim Volume 2 (Part 1), as heard from the ~~chassid~~ R' ~~David~~ Leib Marozov ~~as he heard~~ it from his father, R' [[Elchanan Dov ~~Morozov\|Elchanan Dov~~]].		Because the movements of this nigun rise and fall according to deep contemplative thought and intense concentration in prayer, and according to the shifting states of the soul and the heart's feeling within the tzaddik, it is difficult to establish a fixed order for its phrases. At times one phrase would come first, at times another; sometimes he would pause between phrases to recite the words of the prayer itself, and sometimes he would hum only passages of the nigun. For this reason, the nigun appears in an additional version in [[Sefer HaNiggunim]], Volume II (Part I), as heard from the Chassid R' [[Dovid Leib Marozov]], who received it from his father R' [[Elchanan Dov Marozov]].

	This ~~niggun~~ is ~~number~~ 8 in Sefer HaNiggunim (~~additional~~ version ~~- niggun~~ 178).		This nigun is Nigun No. 8 in [[Sefer HaNiggunim]] (the alternate version is Nigun No. 178).

			== Notes ==
			<references/>

	== External Links ==		== External Links ==
	* To hear the niggun on the Heichal Negina website
	* '''To hear the niggun''' performed by the musician R' Dovid Horowitz
	* To hear the niggun arranged by R' Elaor Velner
	* Aharon Fruchtman, 24 Tevet 5778
	* To hear the niggun performed by the Kapelye Choir at the 19 Kislev 5779 farbrengen in Boro Park
	* '''To hear the niggun''' performed by R' Mordechai Brotzky

			* [http://www20.chassidus.com/audio/nigun/03-07-Niggun-Likras-Shabbos-from-The-Alter-Rebbe-Heichal-Neginah.htm Listen to the nigun] — at the Heichal Neginah website
			* [https://chabadpedia.co.il/images/2/26/(ח)_דביקות_חב Listen to the nigun] — performed by the baal menagen R' Dovid Horowitz
			* [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/php/audio.php?action=playsong&id=427 Listen to the nigun] — arrangement by R' Elior Valner
			* [http://chabad.info/musicnews/ערב-יום-ההילולא-פרוכטמן-מבצע-ניגון-דב/ Aharon Fruchtman] — 24 Teves 5778 (2018)
			* [http://chabad.info/video/musical-videos/chabad-nigunim/זאָג-אַ-נִיגוּן-ניגון-דבקות-לאדהז-•-צפ/ Listen to the nigun performed by the Kapelye choir at the 19 Kislev farbrengen 5779 (2018) in Borough Park]
			* [https://chabadpedia.co.il/images/3/3f/ניגונו_של_אדמור_הזקן_מרדכי_ברוצקי.mp3 '''Listen to the nigun'''] — performed by R' Mordechai Brutzky
			* [https://chabad.info/musicnews/1286317/ '''"Dich Alein": Singer Simcha Friedman releases a new single'''] — a performance of the final passage of the nigun set to the words the Alter Rebbe was accustomed to saying during his devekus<ref name="hayom-yom-18-kislev">[[Hayom Yom]], 18 Kislev.</ref>

			[[Category:Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe]]
	[[he:ניגון דבקות שבת (אדמו"ר הזקן)]]		[[he:ניגון דבקות שבת (אדמו"ר הזקן)]]

Niggun Deveykus Rosh Hashanah (Admur Hazaken)

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:54:27 GMT

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	The '''Niggun Deveykus for Rosh Hashanah''' is ~~customarily sung by all~~ Chabad Rebbes in every generation with ~~devotion~~, ~~enthusiasm~~, and heart-stirring ~~tears~~, like a person ~~crying~~ over a faithful friend who has ~~departed -~~ during the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur ~~prayers~~, especially ~~during the evening prayers of~~ the first night of Rosh Hashanah and before the shofar blowing on both days of Rosh Hashanah.		[[File:טית.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Sheet music of the nigun]]
			The '''Niggun Deveykus for Rosh Hashanah''' is a nigun of deep devekus — cleaving to G‑d — which the [[Chabad Rebbes]] in every generation would sing with devekus, fervor, and heart-stirring weeping, like a person weeping over a beloved and faithful friend who has gone. It is sung during the prayers of [[Rosh Hashanah]] and [[Yom Kippur]], and especially at Maariv on the first night of Rosh Hashanah and before the [[shofar]] blowing on both days of Rosh Hashanah.

	== Origin of the ~~Niggun~~ ==		== Origin of the Nigun ==
	About the origin of this niggun, the Rebbe Rayatz relates: "Rabbi Kehat - a distinguished student of the Baal Shem Tov and a member of the group of hidden tzaddikim - was once walking along a road and overheard a conversation between two wagon drivers. One said to his friend, 'In Tehillim it is written, do not be like a horse or mule without understanding, with bit and bridle. A donkey thinks that they put the bit in his mouth so he won't forget how to chew, but you shouldn't be like that - you should understand.' When the Baal Shem Tov heard this story from his student, he was aroused to tremendous deveykus (attachment to G-d) and prostrated himself with outstretched arms and legs while singing a devotional melody - and this is the origin of the niggun."

	~~This niggun~~ is ~~definitely one of~~ the ~~ten niggunim~~ that the ~~Alter Rebbe~~ himself ~~would sing~~.		The [[Frierdiker Rebbe]] (the Previous Rebbe, R' Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) related the origin of this nigun: "[[Rabbi Kehas]] — a distinguished disciple of the [[Baal Shem Tov]] and a member of the fellowship of hidden tzaddikim — was once traveling and overheard a conversation between two wagon drivers. One said to the other: 'It is written in [[Psalms]], ''Be not like a horse or mule that has no understanding, whose mouth must be held with bit and bridle'' — a donkey thinks the bit is placed in its mouth so it won't forget how to chew, but you — don't be like that; rather, understand.' When the [[Baal Shem Tov]] heard this story from his disciple, he was seized with tremendous devekus, prostrated himself with arms and legs outstretched, and broke into the sound of a nigun of cleaving — and this is the origin of the nigun."

	~~== The Niggun as Preparation for Shofar Blowing ==~~		This nigun is certainly among the [[Ten Niggunim]] composed by the [[Alter Rebbe]] himself.
	In the Alter Rebbe~~'s Siddur it states: "After the Torah reading one should prepare~~ himself ~~to blow the shofar, and recite Kapitel 'Lamnatze'ach livnei Korach mizmor' seven times." The Shaar HaKolel explained: "The preparation is to recite this psalm seven times~~."

	~~However, in a talk on Shabbat Shuva 5731 (1970), the Rebbe rejected this interpretation and explained that the Alter Rebbe's intention was~~ for a spiritual preparation, without specifying any particular preparation, since it is not something equally suitable for everyone. Each person according to his own measure needs to prepare himself for the shofar blowing with something that awakens him, whether it's from what is said in Kesser Shem Tov, or in the Shulchan Aruch of the Arizal, in Chassidic texts or in the Mateh Efraim and the like. And from this awakening should be drawn an awakening for the entire coming year. On a deeper level, the intention is not for any specific preparation, but for a general preparation for divine service throughout the entire year, which is a general self-surrender to Hashem from the depths of the ~~soul.~~		== The Nigun as Preparation for the Shofar Blowing ==

	~~Some relate that they heard~~ the Rebbe ~~quietly singing~~ this ~~niggun as~~ preparation ~~before the shofar blowing~~.		In the [[Alter Rebbe]]'s Siddur it is written: {{quote\|After the [[Torah reading]], one should prepare himself to blow the [[shofar]], and recite the psalm ''Lamnatzeiach livnei Korach mizmor'' (Psalms 47) seven times.}} The [[Shaar HaKolel]]<ref name="shaar-hakolel">Ch. 43, §1.</ref> explained this to mean that the preparation consists of reciting this psalm seven times.

	~~During the meal of the second night of Rosh Hashanah~~ 5731 (1970), the Rebbe ~~connected~~ this preparation to this ~~deveykus niggun~~ of the ~~Alter Rebbe~~.		However, in a sicha delivered on Shabbos Shuvah 5731 (1970), the Rebbe rejected this interpretation and explained that the Alter Rebbe's intent is a spiritual preparation of the soul — not any specific prescribed act — since there is no single preparation suitable for every person. Each individual, according to his own level, must prepare himself for the shofar blowing through whatever stirs him: whether from the [[Kesser Shem Tov]], the [[Shulchan Aruch of the Arizal]], works of Chassidus, the Mateh Efraim, or similar sources. From this arousal, an awakening is drawn down for the entire coming year. On a deeper level, the intent is not preparation for any particular act, but a general preparation for the service of G‑d throughout the entire year — a total surrender to G‑d from the very depths of the soul.<ref name="likkutei-sichos-rh">[[Likkutei Sichos]], Rosh Hashanah, Vayelech, 5752 (1991).</ref>

	This ~~niggun~~ is ~~number~~ 9 in Sefer HaNiggunim.		At the second-night Rosh Hashanah meal in 5731 (1970), the Rebbe connected this preparation to this very niggun of devekus of the Alter Rebbe.

			In the early years of his leadership, the Rebbe would sing this nigun on Rosh Hashanah<ref name="rh-maariv">Generally during Maariv and during the recitation of Psalms on the night of Rosh Hashanah, after the prayer service.</ref> with quiet weeping.

			This nigun is Nigun No. 9 in [[Sefer HaNiggunim]].

			In addition to the version appearing in Sefer HaNiggunim, another version of the nigun is also widely known — one that is more penetrating and solemn.

			== Notes ==
			<references/>

	== External Links ==		== External Links ==

	* Lev ~~Leybman~~, ~~'''Niggun~~ of Chabad Rebbes for Rosh Hashanah Prayers~~''', on~~ the Kir HaNiggunim website		* Lev Leibman, [https://nichoach.blogspot.com/2016/09/blog-post_28.html The Nigun of the Chabad Rebbes for the Rosh Hashanah Prayers] — at the Kir HaNiggunim website
	* ~~To listen~~ to the ~~niggun on~~ the Heichal ~~Negina~~ website		* [http://www20.chassidus.com/audio/nigun/03-09-Niggun-D-veikus-Rosh-Hashanah-from-The-Alter-Rebbe-Heichal-Neginah.htm Listen to the nigun] — at the Heichal Neginah website
	* ~~'''To listen~~ to the ~~niggun'''~~ performed by the baal-menagen R' Dovid Horowitz		* [https://chabadpedia.co.il/images/9/91/%28%D7%98%29_%D7%93%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%AA_%D7%97%D7%91%27%27%D7%93_%D7%9C%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%A9_%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%A0%D7%94.mp3 Listen to the nigun] — performed by the baal menagen R' Dovid Horowitz ('''both versions''')
	* ~~To listen~~ to the ~~niggun arranged~~ by R' ~~Elaor Velner~~		* [https://chabad.info/musicnews/1252378/ Listen to the nigun] — performed by the Chabad musician R' Refael Persky

	[[he:ניגון דבקות ~~שבת~~ (אדמו"ר הזקן)]]		[[Category:Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe]]
			[[Category:Rosh Hashanah]]
			[[he:ניגון דבקות ראש השנה (אדמו"ר הזקן)]]

Nigun Lecha Dodi

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:50:42 GMT

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	'''Nigun Lecha Dodi''' is a melody attributed to the Alter Rebbe, ~~which is~~ sung ~~with~~ the words of the ~~Shabbat liturgical poem~~ "Lecha Dodi" (composed by the Kabbalist ~~Rabbi~~ Shlomo Alkabetz ~~who was~~ a resident of the city of ~~Tzfat~~. ~~Rabbi~~ Shlomo ~~also signed~~ his name in the first letters of ~~the stanzas of the poem)~~. The Rebbe Rashab ~~would customarily sing~~ this ~~melody~~ with ~~devotion during~~ the ~~first~~ verse of the Shema ~~prayer~~ on weekdays.		[[File:זין.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Sheet music of the nigun]]
			The '''Nigun "Lecha Dodi"''' is a melody [[attributed niggunim\|attributed]] to the [[Alter Rebbe]], sung to the words of the Shabbos hymn "[[Lecha Dodi]]" — a liturgical poem composed by the [[Kabbalist]] R' Shlomo Alkabetz, a resident of the city of [[Tzfas]]. R' Shlomo wove his name into the poem as an acrostic, using the first letters of each stanza. The [[Rebbe Rashab]] was accustomed to singing this nigun with great devekus — deep cleaving to G‑d — on the opening verse of the Shema on weekdays.

	~~This melody has~~ a different version (and ~~apparently~~ a more precise one~~) for~~ the ~~verse~~ '''~~"Likrat Shabbat"~~''' in the "Lecha Dodi" ~~poem.~~ This version was recorded from the Chassid ~~Rabbi~~ Peretz ~~Motzkin as he~~ received it from the elder Chassidim of the previous generation and was ~~printed~~ in Sefer ~~HaNigunim~~ Volume 2 (Part 1).		There exists a different version of this nigun — and likely a more precise one — set to the stanza beginning '''Likras Shabbos''' from the poem "Lecha Dodi." This version was recorded from the Chassid R' [[Peretz Mochkin]], who received it from the elder Chassidim of the previous generation, and was published in [[Sefer HaNiggunim]], Volume II (Part I).

	This ~~melody~~ is Nigun 7 in Sefer ~~HaNigunim~~ (the ~~additional~~ version is Nigun 177).		This nigun is Nigun No. 7 in [[Sefer HaNiggunim]] (the alternate version is Nigun No. 177).

	== Lyrics ~~of the Nigun~~ ==		== Lyrics ==
	~~<blockquote>'''Lecha dodi likrat kallah''' '''Pnei Shabbat nekabelah'''~~

	'''Sha'''mor vezachor bedibur echad Hishmi'anu El hameyuchad Hashem echad ushmo echad Leshem ~~uletiferet velitehillah~~		{{quote\|
			'''Lecha dodi likras kallah'''
			:'''Pnei Shabbos nekabelah'''
			'''Sha'''mor vezachor bedibur echad
			:Hishmi'anu Kel hameyuchad
			:Hashem echad ushmo echad
			:Leshem uletiferes ulehilah

	'''Li'''~~krat Shabbat~~ lechu ~~venelcha~~ Ki hi mekor haberachah Merosh mikedem nesuchah Sof ma'aseh bemachashavah techilah		'''Li'''kras Shabbos lechu veneilecha
			:Ki hi mekor haberachah
			:Merosh mikedem nesuchah
			:Sof ma'aseh bemachashavah techilah

	'''Mi'''kdash melech ir meluchah Kumi tze'i mitoch hahafechah Rav lach ~~shevet~~ be'emek ~~habachah~~ Vehu ~~yachamol alayich~~ chemlah		'''Mi'''kdash melech ir meluchah
			:Kumi tze'i mitoch hahafechah
			:Rav lach sheves be'emek habacha
			:Vehu yachmol alaych chemlah

	'''Hi'''~~tna~~'ari me'afar kumi Livshi bigdei ~~tifartaich~~ ami Al yad ben Yishai ~~beit haLachmi~~ Karvah el nafshi ge'alah		'''Hi'''sna'ari me'afar kumi
			:Livshi bigdei sif'arteich ami
			:Al yad ben Yishai beis halachmi
			:Karvah el nafshi ge'alah

	'''Hi'''~~toreri hitoreri~~ Ki va ~~orech~~ kumi ori Uri uri shir daberi Kevod Hashem ~~alayich~~ niglah		'''Hi'''s'oreri his'oreri
			:Ki va oreich kumi ori
			:Uri uri shir daberi
			:Kevod Hashem alaych niglah

	'''Lo''' ~~tevoshi~~ velo ~~tikalmi~~ Mah tishtochachi umah tehemi Bach ~~yechesu~~ aniyei ami ~~Venivnetah~~ ir al tilah		'''Lo''' seivoshi velo sikalmi
			:Mah tishtochachi umah tehemi
			:Bach yechesу aniyei ami
			:Venivnesah ir al tilah

	'''Ve'''hayu limshisah ~~shosayich~~ Verachaku kol ~~mevaleayich~~ Yasis ~~alayich Elokayich~~ Kimsos ~~chatan~~ al ~~kallah~~		'''Ve'''hayu limshisah sho'sayich
			:Verachaku kol meval'ayich
			:Yasis alaych Elohayich
			:Kimsos chasan al kalah

	'''Ya'''min usmol tifrotzi Ve'et Hashem ta'aritzi Al yad ish ben ~~Partzi~~ Venismechah ~~venagilah~~		'''Ya'''min usmol tifrotzi
			:Ve'es Hashem ta'aritzi
			:Al yad ish ben partzi
			:Venismechah venagila

	Bo'i veshalom ~~ateret~~ ba'~~alah~~ Gam berinah (besimchah) ~~uvetzoholah~~ Toch emunei am segulah Bo'i ~~kallah~~ bo'i ~~kallah~~ (Toch emunei am segulah Bo'i ~~kallah Shabbat malketa~~)~~</blockquote>~~		Bo'i veshalom ateres ba'lah
			:Gam berinah (besimchah) uvetzahalah
			:Toch emunei am segulah
			:Bo'i chalah bo'i chalah
			:(Toch emunei am segulah
			:Bo'i chalah Shabbos Malketah)
			}}

	== External Links ==		== External Links ==

	* ~~To listen~~ to the nigun on the Heichal ~~Negina~~ website		* [http://www20.chassidus.com/audio/nigun/03-07-Niggun-Likras-Shabbos-from-The-Alter-Rebbe-Heichal-Neginah.htm Listen to the nigun] — at the Heichal Neginah website
	* ~~'''To listen~~ to the nigun~~'''~~ performed by the ~~musician Rabbi David~~ Horowitz		* [https://chabadpedia.co.il/images/c/c7/%28%D7%96%29_%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%94_%D7%93%D7%95%D7%93%D7%99.mp3 Listen to the nigun] — performed by the baal menagen R' Dovid Horowitz
	* ~~To listen~~ to the nigun ~~arranged~~ by ~~Rabbi Elaor Velner (the link is not active, 2nd of Shevat 5785)~~		* [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/php/audio.php?action=playsong&id=426 Listen to the nigun — arrangement by R' Elior Valner]

			[[Category:Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe]]
	[[he:ניגון לכה דודי]]		[[he:ניגון לכה דודי]]

Category:Niggunim on Verses from Psalms

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:44:10 GMT

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Nigun K'Ayal Ta'arog (Admur HaZaken)

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:43:50 GMT

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	The nigun '''K'~~ayal~~ Ta'arog''' was ~~heard~~ by the ~~Chossid Reb~~ Shmuel Gronem Esterman from an elderly man who ~~was~~ in the ~~group~~ of ~~musicians by The~~ Alter Rebbe. The Alter Rebbe would sing this nigun frequently, with great ~~dveikus~~.		The [[nigun]] '''K'Ayal Ta'arog''' ("As the hart yearns for brooks of water") was transmitted by the Chassid R' [[Shmuel Gronem Esterman]], who learned it from an elderly man who had been part of the group of singers in the court of the [[Alter Rebbe]]. The Alter Rebbe would sing this nigun frequently, with great devekus — a state of cleaving and deep attachment to G‑d.

	That elderly man ~~was~~ blind ~~in his youth~~, and his father brought him to ~~The~~ Alter Rebbe to ~~heal him~~. The Alter Rebbe opened the Zohar and ~~commanded~~ the ~~child~~ to read from it. At first, the child ~~saw~~ only ~~blurry~~ letters, ~~and then The~~ Alter Rebbe rebuked him: "Read aloud!" and ~~his~~ eyes ~~were~~ opened, and he began to read like ~~any person~~. His father left ~~his~~ child in Liozna with ~~The~~ Alter Rebbe, and since the ~~child~~ had ~~talent in singing~~ and ~~music~~, he was added to ~~The~~ Alter Rebbe's ~~group~~ of ~~musicians~~.		That elderly man had been blind as a child, and his father had brought him to the Alter Rebbe to be healed. The Alter Rebbe opened a [[Zohar\|volume of the Zohar]] and instructed the boy to read from it. At first the child could see only blurred letters, but the Alter Rebbe rebuked him sharply: "Read aloud!" — and the boy's eyes opened, and he began to read like anyone else. His father left the child in [[Liozna]] with the Alter Rebbe, and since the boy had a gift for song and melody, he was added to the Alter Rebbe's circle of singers.

	== ~~Words of the Nigun~~ and Their Meaning ==		== Lyrics and Their Meaning ==
	The nigun is composed of verses that appear in two different pesukim that, on a superficial level, have no connection between them:<blockquote>'''"K'ayal ta'arog al afikei mayim; V'hayu l'totafot bein einecha"''' — Tehillim 42:2, Devarim 6:8</blockquote>The Chossid Reb Shmuel Gronem Esterman explained the inner meaning of the nigun:

	~~'''K'ayal ta'arog''' - this~~ is the ~~concept of ratzo~~, ~~the soul's attraction~~ to ~~Elokus.~~		The nigun is built from words drawn from two separate verses that, on the surface, appear to have no connection to each other:

	~~'''V'hayu l'totafot''' - this is~~ the ~~concept~~ of ~~shov, drawing down Elokus below through the fulfillment of Torah~~ and ~~mitzvos~~.		{{quote\|As the hart yearns for brooks of water — and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.\|Psalms 42:2; Deuteronomy 6:8}}

	This nigun is Nigun #2 in Sefer HaNigunim.		The Chassid R' [[Shmuel Gronem Esterman]] explained the inner meaning of the nigun:

			'''K'Ayal Ta'arog''' — "As the hart yearns" — represents the concept of [[ratzo]] (longing), the soul's yearning to ascend and cleave to G‑dliness.

			'''Ve'hayu letotafot''' — "And they shall be as frontlets" — represents the concept of [[shuv]] (return), the drawing of G‑dliness downward, expressed through the fulfillment of [[Torah]] and [[mitzvos]].

			This nigun is Nigun No. 2 in [[Sefer HaNigunim]] — the official Chabad anthology of Chassidic melodies.

	== External Links ==		== External Links ==
	* '''Nigun K'ayal Ta'arog ofThe Alter Rebbe''' - on the website Heichal Negina

			* [http://www20.chassidus.com/audio/nigun/03-10-K-Ayal-Ta-arog-from-The-Alter-Rebbe-Heichal-Neginah.htm K'Ayal Ta'arog — Alter Rebbe's version] — at the Heichal Neginah website
			* [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/php/audio.php?action=playsong&id=421 R' Elior Valner — recording]
			* [https://chabadpedia.co.il/images/0/0d/%28%D7%91%29_%D7%9B%D7%90%D7%99%D7%99%D7%9C_%D7%AA%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%92_%28%D7%90%D7%93%D7%94%27%27%D7%96%29.mp3 R' Dovid Horowitz — recording]
			* [https://chabad.info/video/302094/ K'Ayal Ta'arog on mandolin and guitar]
			* [http://hageula.com/news/nigunim/20309.htm K'Ayal Ta'arog — Dov Ber Belshnikov]
			* [https://sinun770.org/ניגון-כאייל-תערוג-לאדמור-הזקן-niggun-kayol-taarog-from/ Avigdor Zeitlin — recording]

			[[Category:Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe]]
			[[Category:Niggunim on Verses from Psalms]]
	[[he:ניגון כאיל תערוג (אדמו"ר הזקן)]]		[[he:ניגון כאיל תערוג (אדמו"ר הזקן)]]

Niggun Bnei Heichala

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:39:25 GMT

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Nigun "Keli Ata"

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:36:09 GMT

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	'''Keli Ata''' is one of the ~~ten Nigunim (melodies)~~ of the Alter Rebbe.		'''Keli Ata''' is one of the [[Ten Niggunim]] of the [[Alter Rebbe]], Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi. It is the third niggun in the [[Sefer HaNiggunim]].

	The ~~lyrics~~ of ~~this nigun~~ are ~~taken~~ from ~~Tehillim~~ (~~Psalms~~ 118:28)~~, which~~ are ~~also~~ recited in the Hallel prayer: ~~"Keli Ata v'odeka, Elokai aromemeka" ("You are my G-d and I will thank You, my G-d I will exalt You").~~		The words of the niggun are drawn from [[Psalms]] (chapter 118, verse 28) and are recited during the [[Hallel]] prayer:

	~~In the Rebbe~~'~~s household~~, ~~it is customary to sing this nigun at the conclusion of the Seder night after saying "L'Shana Haba~~'~~ah B~~'~~Yerushalayim" (Next year in Jerusalem), at the time when the wine is returned from Eliyahu~~'~~s cup to the bottle.~~		<blockquote>
			'''אֵ-לִי אַתָּה וְאוֹדֶךָּ, אֱלֹקַי אֲרוֹמְמֶךָּ'''

	~~This nigun is sung during the drawing of~~ "~~mayim shelanu~~" ~~(water that has rested overnight for baking matzah).~~		"You are my G‑d and I will thank You; my G‑d, I will exalt You."
			</blockquote>

	~~The Rebbe said in~~ the ~~name~~ of the ~~Frierdiker Rebbe~~ (~~Previous Rebbe~~, ~~Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) that this nigun~~ is ~~a segulah (spiritual remedy) for~~ the ~~revelation of Eliyahu~~.		In [[Beis Rabbeinu]] — 770— it is customary to sing this niggun at the close of the [[Pesach seder]], after the recitation of ''[[Leshanah Haba'ah BiYerushalayim]]'' ("Next year in Jerusalem"), at the moment when [[Elijah's cup\|Elijah's wine]] is poured back from his cup into the bottle.

	~~This~~ is ~~Nigun #3~~ in ~~Sefer HaNigunim (The Book of Nigunim)~~.		The niggun is also sung at the Rebbe's court during the drawing of [[mayim shelanu]] — the water set aside from the previous night for use in baking [[matzah]].

	~~In addition~~ to this ~~nigun, there~~ is ~~another melody attributed to~~ the ~~Tzemach Tzedek on these same words~~, ~~which does not appear in Sefer HaNigunim~~.		The Rebbe cited the [[Frierdiker Rebbe]] to the effect that this niggun is a segulah — a propitious means — for a revelation of [[Elijah the Prophet]].<ref name="tm-pesach-tashia">[[Toras Menachem]], vol. 3, talk of the second night of [[Pesach]] 5711 (1951).</ref>

	~~== External Links ==~~		In addition to this niggun, there is a [[Keli Ata (Tzemach Tzedek)\|separate niggun on the same words attributed to the Tzemach Tzedek]], which does not appear in the Sefer HaNiggunim.

	* To hear the nigun in the holy voice of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach		==External Links==
	* To hear the nigun by the ba'al menagen (master singer) R' Dovid Horowitz
	* To hear the nigun on the Heichal Negina website
	* To hear the nigun arranged by R' Elaor Velner
	* To hear the nigun from Nichoach #1
	* To hear the nigun arranged by Chanan Bar Sela
	* To hear the nigun from "HaNigunim HaMechuvanim" (The Directed Nigunim)
	* The nigun performed by the Shevet Achim ensemble
	* Nigun 'Keli Ata' performed by Avraham Fried

			===Audio===
			* [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/php/audio.php?action=playsong&id=280 Keli Ata] — sung by the Rebbe
			* [https://chabadpedia.co.il/images/a/a9/%28%D7%92%29_%D7%A7%D7%9C%D7%99_%D7%90%D7%AA%D7%94.mp3 Keli Ata] — sung by the ''baal menagen'' R' Dovid Horowitz
			* [http://www20.chassidus.com/audio/nigun/03-03-Keili-Atoh-from-The-Alter-Rebbe-Heichal-Neginah.htm Keli Ata] at [[Heichal Neginah]]
			* [https://www.chabad.org/multimedia/music_cdo/aid/140683/jewish/Keili-Atoh.htm Keli Ata] from [[Nichoach]], vol. 1
			* [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/php/audio.php?action=playsong&id=422 Keli Ata — arrangement by R' Elior Valner]
			* [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/php/audio.php?action=playsong&id=368 Keli Ata — arrangement by Chanan Bar Sela]
			* [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/php/audio.php?action=playsong&id=835 Keli Ata — from ''HaNiggunim HaMekuvanim'']
			* [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/#!g=1&url=article&id=74882 Keli Ata — performed by the Shevet Achim ensemble]
			* [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/index.php?url=article_he&id=63592 Keli Ata — performed by Avraham Fried] (video)

			==Notes==
			<references/>

			[[Category:Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe]]
			[[Category:Niggunim on Verses from Psalms]]
	[[he:ניגון א-לי אתה]]		[[he:ניגון א-לי אתה]]

Nigun Avinu Malkeinu

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:32:06 GMT

The Words of the Niggun

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	The ~~nigun (melody) for~~ the words '''"Avinu Malkeinu ein lanu melech ela ~~atah"~~''' is one of the ~~ten niguns~~ attributed to the Alter Rebbe.		The [[niggun]] set to the words '''Avinu Malkeinu ein lanu melech ela Atah''' ("Our Father, our King, we have no king but You") is one of the [[Ten Niggunim]] attributed to the [[Alter Rebbe]], Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi. It is the sixth niggun in the [[Sefer HaNiggunim]].

	To this day, Chassidim ~~customarily~~ sing this ~~nigun whenever~~ the prayer Avinu Malkeinu is recited in public.		To this day, Chassidim sing this niggun each time the [[Avinu Malkeinu (prayer)\|Avinu Malkeinu]] prayer is recited in public worship.

	~~This nigun~~ is ~~number 6 in Sefer HaNigunim~~ (~~The Book of Niguns~~).		The niggun is introduced by a distinctive melody of longing (''kisufim''), which is sung twice before the main niggun begins.

	~~As an introduction to the nigun, a special yearning melody~~ is ~~sung~~, ~~which~~ is ~~customarily repeated twice~~.		A notable feature of this niggun is that its opening words are repeated — which makes it unusual, since Chabad is otherwise careful to avoid the cantor's practice of repeating words of prayer.

	~~This nigun is unique in that~~ the ~~first words are repeated~~, ~~despite the fact that in Chabad there~~ is ~~a strong custom not~~ to ~~repeat words of~~ prayer ~~as is~~ the ~~practice~~ of ~~chazzanim~~ (~~cantors~~).		At the Rebbe's synagogue at [[770 Eastern Parkway]], it is customary to sing this niggun before every prayer service throughout the [[Ten Days of Teshuvah]] (the period from Rosh Hashana through Yom Kippur).

	In the ~~Rebbe's beis midrash (study hall) at 770, it~~ is ~~customary to sing this nigun at~~ the ~~beginning of~~ each prayer service ~~during~~ the Ten Days of Teshuvah.		In Anash communities generally, the niggun is sung on the following occasions: on [[Rosh Hashana]] before each prayer service, throughout the Ten Days of Teshuvah, on [[Yom Kippur]], and on public fast days. It is not sung on Shabbos, since Avinu Malkeinu is not recited on Shabbos. It is also sung at [[farbrengen]]s of the Rebbe on dates associated with the Alter Rebbe, and on occasions when the niggunim of all the Rebbeim are sung, it is included as the Alter Rebbe's niggun.

	~~The Avinu Malkeinu nigun is customarily~~ sung ~~in Anash (Chassidic) communities on~~ the ~~following occasions:~~		For a number of years, by the Rebbe's instruction, the niggun was also sung during the forty days preceding Rosh Hashana.

	* On Rosh Hashanah, before every prayer service		According to the text found in the Sefer HaNiggunim and the Nichoach recordings, the niggun begins with the words '''"Avinu Malkeinu Avinu Atah"''' — however, the Rebbe sang only the words '''"Avinu Malkeinu ein lanu melech ela Atah."'''
	* During the ~~Ten Days of Teshuvah~~ and ~~Yom Kippur~~
	* On public fast days
	* On Shabbos Kodesh, the ~~nigun is not sung because~~ Avinu Malkeinu ~~is not recited on Shabbos~~
	* At the Rebbe'~~s farbrengens (gatherings)~~, ~~on dates connected to~~ the ~~Alter~~ Rebbe ~~or on dates when all Chabad niguns are sung, this nigun would sometimes be sung as a nigun of~~ the ~~Alter Rebbe~~

	~~For several years, at~~ the ~~Rebbe's instruction, the Avinu Malkeinu nigun was sung because it was 40 days before Rosh Hashanah.~~		==The Words of the Niggun==

	~~According to the version in Sefer HaNigunim and also Nichoach, the nigun begins with the words:~~ '''~~"Avinu Malkeinu avinu atah"~~'''~~, however, the Rebbe sang only the words "Avinu Malkeinu ein lanu melech ela atah."~~		<blockquote>
			'''אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ אָבִינוּ אַתָּה'''<br/>
			'''אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ אֵין לָנוּ מֶלֶךְ אֶלָּא אָתָּה'''

	~~== Lyrics of the Nigun ==~~		"Our Father, our King, You are our Father / Our Father, our King, we have no king but You"
	~~<blockquote>'''Avinu Malkeinu avinu atah~~, ~~Avinu Malkeinu ein lanu melech ela atah'''~~

	— Siddur, "Avinu Malkeinu" prayer recited at ~~favorable~~ times</blockquote>		— ''Siddur'', the Avinu Malkeinu prayer, recited at times of Divine favor
			</blockquote>

	== External Links ==		==External Links==

	* The Rebbe singing 'Avinu Malkeinu'		===Audio===
	* ~~To listen to the~~ nigun ~~on the Heichal Negina website~~		* [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/php/audio.php?action=playsong&id=185 The Rebbe singing Avinu Malkeinu]
	* Chazzan Ben Tzion Miller and his children singing the Alter Rebbe's Avinu Malkeinu at ~~the Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow, 16 Av 5772 (07.2012)~~		* [http://www20.chassidus.com/audio/nigun/03-06-Avinu-Malkeinu-from-The-Alter-Rebbe-Heichal-Neginah.htm Avinu Malkeinu] at [[Heichal Neginah]]
	* Avinu Malkeinu ~~performed by Avraham Fried~~		* [https://www.chabad.org/multimedia/music_cdo/aid/140681/jewish/Ovinu-Malkeinu.htm Avinu Malkeinu] from [[Nichoach]], vol. 1
	* To listen to the nigun from Nichoach #1		* [https://chabadpedia.co.il/images/e/e7/%28%D7%95%29_%D7%90%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%95_%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%95.mp3 Avinu Malkeinu] — sung by the ''baal menagen'' R' Dovid Horowitz
	* ~~'''To listen to~~ the ~~nigun~~''~~' by the~~ baal-menagen ~~(master singer)~~ R' Dovid Horowitz		* [https://chabadpedia.co.il/images/b/bf/%D7%90%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%95_%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%95.mp3 Avinu Malkeinu] — sung by the ''baal menagen'' R' Zalman Bronstein
	* ~~'''To listen to~~ the ~~nigun'~~'' ~~by the~~ baal-menagen R' Zalman Bronstein		* [https://chabadpedia.co.il/images/f/fd/%D7%90%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%95_%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%95_%D7%90%D7%9C%D7%90_%D7%90%D7%AA%D7%94.mp3 Avinu Malkeinu] — sung by the ''baal menagen'' R' Shmaryahu Betzalel Tzvi Althoiz
	* ''~~'To listen to the nigun~~''' by ~~the baal-menagen Rashbatz Althaus~~		* [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/newvideo/video.php?id=2508 Avinu Malkeinu] — performed by Avraham Fried

	~~'''~~Various ~~Performances~~ and ~~Arrangements'''~~		;Various arrangements and performances:
			* [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/newvideo/video.php?id=3719 Amir Benayoun] · [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/php/audio.php?action=playsong&id=425 Elior Valner] · [https://www.chabad.org/multimedia/music_cdo/aid/254240/jewish/Avinu-Malkeinu-Medley.htm Avraham Fried] · [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/#!g=1&url=article&id=71755 Michoel Teplinsky, from the album ''Tefillah LeYomim Noraim'']
	* Amir Benayoun ~~'''•''' Elaor Velner '''•''' "Chassidic Farbrengen" album '''•'''~~ Avraham Fried '''•'~~'' Michael Teplinsky, in the album "Prayer for the High Holidays"~~

			[[Category:Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe]]
	[[he:ניגון אבינו מלכנו]]		[[he:ניגון אבינו מלכנו]]

The Niggun Arba Bavos

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:28:00 GMT

Raphaelwilmowsky moved page The Niggun Arba Bavos to Niggun Arba Bavos

New page

'''Arba Bavos''' (Yiddish: '''דער ניגון פון פיר פאַלען''', ''Der Niggun fun Fir Faln'', "The Niggun of the Four Chambers"; also called '''the Niggun of the Alter Rebbe''' or '''the Niggun of the Rav''') is considered the most important and profound [[niggun]] (Chassidic melody) in the entire repertoire of [[Chabad]] Chassidus. It was composed by the [[Alter Rebbe]] — Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad — while he was still studying at the side of his master, the [[Maggid of Mezeritch]], and was later refined by him after he assumed the leadership of the movement.

The niggun is built in four sections, each called a ''bava'' (chamber). The four ''bavos'' correspond to the four spiritual [[worlds (Chassidus)|worlds]] described in Kabbalistic and Chassidic thought: [[Atzilus]], [[Beriah]], [[Yetzirah]], and [[Asiyah]]. Because every movement of the niggun is calibrated to precise spiritual meanings, Chabad Chassidim are careful to sing it with great exactitude, and only on special occasions and times of joy.<ref name="igros-zmanim">[[Igros Kodesh of the Frierdiker Rebbe]], vol. 3, p. 382, letter from [[Sivan]] 5695 (1935).</ref>

Arba Bavos is the first niggun in the [[Sefer HaNiggunim]], the authoritative anthology of Chabad melodies.

==The Meaning of the Niggun==

The niggun is structured as an ascent from below to above, mirroring the arc of the morning prayer service, which opens with [[Baruch She'amar]], continues through [[Pesukei DeZimrah]], the [[blessings before Shema]], [[Shema]] itself, and culminates in the [[Shemoneh Esreh]]. Each section of the niggun accomplishes its own particular spiritual work, operating either in an ''inner'' (''pnimi'') mode — penetrating and transforming — or in an ''encompassing'' (''makif'') mode, which hovers above and surrounds the soul.

In this niggun, the Alter Rebbe distilled his entire approach to Chassidus and the inner spiritual path of a Chabad Chassid. Each of the four sections corresponds to several parallel dimensions simultaneously:<ref name="sicha-kislev-trc">From a letter of the [[Frierdiker Rebbe]] dated 15 [[Kislev]] 5690 (1929), citing the [[Rebbe Rashab]] at a farbrengen on [[Yud-Tes Kislev]] 5663 (1902). Also cited in the collection ''[[HaTamim]]'', booklet 5.</ref>

* A spiritual [[world (Chassidus)|world]]
* A letter of the [[Divine Name]] (the Tetragrammaton)
* A level of the [[soul]]
* A mode of Divine [[light]]

{| class="wikitable"
! Bava !! Spiritual World !! Letter of the Divine Name !! Soul Level !! Divine Light !! Meaning
|-
| '''First''' || [[Asiyah]] || ה (lower ''heh'') || [[Nefesh]] || [[Mimalei kol almin]] || This section effects ''displacement and deepening'' — its opening notes draw the person away from mundane surroundings, while the continuation prompts deep inward reflection on one's purpose and true standing in the world.
|-
| '''Second''' || [[Yetzirah]] || ו (''vav'') || [[Ruach]] || [[Mimalei kol almin]] || This section is bound to the first: it opens on a note of bitterness and sorrow, yet quickly moves toward hope and ascent. The tension between bitterness and hopeful rising is the natural outgrowth of the displacement and deepening produced by the first bava.
|-
| '''Third''' || [[Beriah]] || ה (upper ''heh'') || [[Neshama]] || [[Sovev kol almin]] || This section works an ''exaltation of the soul''. Though it follows on the heels of a section of intense bitterness, the dominant feeling here is one of elevation and outpouring — the soul opening and expanding upward.
|-
| '''Fourth''' || [[Atzilus]] || י (''yud'') || [[Chayah]]/[[Yechidah]] || [[Etzem]] || This section corresponds to the world of Atzilus, which stands wholly apart from and above the three worlds below it. Although it follows the first three in sequence, it is by its very nature in a different category entirely. Its particular spiritual work is ''elation of the soul'' — not mere exaltation, but a deeper, purer joy. This fourth bava was added by the Alter Rebbe after he accepted the leadership of the movement.
|}

==When the Niggun Is Sung==

Because of its profound spiritual significance, Chabad Chassidim are careful to sing Arba Bavos only with great precision and only on special occasions and times of joy.<ref name="igros-zmanim"/> It is a tradition in the name of the [[Tzemach Tzedek]] that singing it on ordinary weekdays — outside the designated times — can, Heaven forbid, arouse spiritual opposition.<ref name="shn-vol1">[[Sefer HaNiggunim]], vol. 1, p. 30 (from a talk of the Frierdiker Rebbe).</ref>

Occasions on which Arba Bavos is customarily sung include: the [[Three Festivals]] (Pesach, Shavuos, and Sukkos), [[Purim]],<ref name="ss-tarpach">[[Sefer HaSichos of the Frierdiker Rebbe|Sefer HaSichos]] 5688 (1927–28), p. 12.</ref> [[Yud-Tes Kislev]] (the Chassidic New Year, marking the release of the Alter Rebbe from Czarist imprisonment in 1798), [[Yud-Beis Tammuz]], the month of [[Elul]], and the [[Selichos]] period leading into the High Holidays.<ref name="ss-tashaa">[[Sefer HaSichos of the Frierdiker Rebbe|Sefer HaSichos]] 5701 (1940–41), pp. 85–86.</ref> It is also sung at a wedding — during the procession of the groom to the [[chuppah]] (wedding canopy) and during the bride's encircling of the groom. On one occasion it was sung at a farbrengen on the eve of Shavuos 5746 (1986). The [[Rebbe Rashab]] declared that Yud-Tes Kislev is the "Rosh Hashana" — the head of the year — for Arba Bavos. It is further customary to sing it at a [[bris milah]] (circumcision), a [[bar mitzvah]], and at the wedding feast.

Before Arba Bavos is sung, it is customary to first sing the [[Niggun HaHachana LeArba Bavos]] (the Preparatory Niggun), an ancient melody that was especially beloved by the Rebbe Rashab.

At [[farbrengen]]s conducted by [[the Rebbe]], the Rebbe himself would indicate when to begin the preparatory niggun — which was typically started by the ''chozzer'' (the Rebbe's designated reciter of Chassidic discourses), Rabbi [[Yoel Kahn]]. As the preparatory niggun neared its end, the Rebbe would signal with his fingers how many times he wished the fourth bava to be repeated.

On several occasions, Chassidim followed Arba Bavos with the singing of ''[[Nye Zhuritzi Chloptzi]]''.

==Qualities and Powers of the Niggun==

'''[[Maharash|The Maharash]]''' (Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch, fourth Rebbe of Chabad): "When the Rebbe Zaken's niggun is being sung, that is a time favorable for teshuvah, because it is then a time of Divine favor above."

'''[[Rebbe Rashab|The Rebbe Rashab]]''' (Rabbi Shalom DovBer of Lubavitch, fifth Rebbe of Chabad): "When the niggun is sung with inner awakening, it is a time favorable for teshuvah and for deepening one's bond with the Rebbe. And when it is sung with purity of heart — after a proper ''tikkun chatzos'' (the midnight vigil and lamentation), after a sincere recitation of the bedtime Shema, and after prayer with deep exertion — it is possible to bring about a personal salvation in the areas of children and life."

'''[[Frierdiker Rebbe|The Frierdiker Rebbe]]''' (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, sixth Rebbe of Chabad): "We have a promise that whenever and wherever this niggun is sung, the Rebbe — the Alter Rebbe — will hear it and will feel it, no matter how elevated a plane he is on. But this depends on the preparation of the one who receives."<ref name="ss-tashaz">See [[Sefer HaSichos of the Frierdiker Rebbe|Sefer HaSichos]] 5707 (1946–47), p. 101.</ref>

When a Chassid who had been active in [[spreading Judaism]] and supporting Jews in Russia asked the Rebbe — through a video recorded by Rabbi [[Dovber Levine]] and transmitted to the Rebbe — for a niggun he could sing whenever he wished to enter into a private audience (''[[yechidus]]''), the Rebbe responded (after viewing the clip a second time, and with visible emotion) that he should sing Arba Bavos. The Rebbe also recounted that when [[Shneur Zalman Rubashov (Shazar)|Shazar]] was at the beginning of his political career and went through moments of doubt, he would shut himself in his room and sing the niggun — and would find in it his counsel and direction.<ref name="kfar-tashpa">[[Mendy Kurtes]], "A Soul Returns to Itself," ''Kfar Chabad Weekly'', issue 2124, p. 34 (5785/2024–25).</ref>

The Rebbe instructed the musician Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph not to make any alterations to the niggun.<ref name="anash-alterations">[https://anash.org/the-alter-rebbes-niggun-shouldnt-be-manipulated/ "The Alter Rebbe's Niggun Shouldn't Be Manipulated"], Anash.org.</ref>

==See Also==
* [[Niggun HaHachana LeArba Bavos]]

==External Links==

===Information===
* The Tzemach Tzedek on the niggun — "it is as though the one who originated the teaching stands before him":
** [https://chabadlibrary.org/books/admur/tm/1/22/92.htm Toras Menachem, vol. 1 — 5710, talk of the second day of Shavuos 5710, p. 92]
** [https://chabadlibrary.org/books/admur/tm/5/13/126.htm Toras Menachem, vol. 5 — 5712 part two, talk of the second night of Pesach 5712, p. 126]
* Yekusiel Yehuda Gandel, [https://col.org.il/news/122696 Arba Bavos], ''HaMevaser'' weekly, on the special niggun — its dimensions, customs, and stories. COL, 25 Teves 5780 (January 22, 2020).

===Audio===
* [https://chabad.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/10-07-2016-23-45-56-song22.mp3 Arba Bavos] — sung by [[the Rebbe]]
* [https://chabad.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/04-09-2016-21-11-57-song1.mp3 Arba Bavos — arrangement by R' Elior Valner]
* [https://chabad.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/26-07-2016-01-19-39-song1.mp3 Arba Bavos — arrangement by Chanan Bar Sela]
* [https://chabad.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/31-08-2016-23-19-21-song17.mp3 Arba Bavos — performed by the Niach Choir]
* [https://chabad.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/03-07-2016-19-54-45-song2.mp3 Arba Bavos — from ''Ne'imos Chabad'']
* [https://col.org.il/news/65501 Moving: "Arba Bavos" with the Rebbe, Yud-Tes Kislev 5744 (1983) — video]

==Notes==
<references/>

[[Category:Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe]]
[[he:ניגון ארבע בבות]]

Arba Bavos

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:27:23 GMT

Raphaelwilmowsky moved page Arba Bavos to The Niggun Arba Bavos

New page

Category:Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:27:06 GMT

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	[[Category: The ~~alter rebbe~~]]		[[Category: The Alter Rebbe]]

Category:Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:26:44 GMT

Created page with "Category: The alter rebbe"

New page

[[Category: The alter rebbe]]

Arba Bavos

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:26:10 GMT

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The Ten Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:59:25 GMT

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	~~A tradition among Chassidim tells that~~ the Alter Rebbe composed '''ten niggunim''' that are precisely calibrated and allude to elevated concepts in the supernal worlds. These niggunim possess a special segulah, bringing those who sing them to an awakening of teshuvah and to a state where the neshamah cleaves to Elokus.		==The Ten Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe==

	~~Some have~~ the ~~custom not to sing these~~ niggunim ~~routinely~~, ~~but rather~~ at ~~designated times or at auspicious moments~~. ~~Regarding~~ the ~~Niggun Arbah Bavos~~ (~~Four Gates~~)~~, this is not merely~~ a ~~chassidic custom but an explicit directive from our Rebbeim~~.		A tradition has been passed down among Chassidim that the [[Alter Rebbe]] — Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad Chassidus — personally composed '''ten niggunim''' (Chassidic melodies) that are [[niggunim mekuvanim\|precisely calibrated and intentional]], each one hinting at sublime matters in the upper spiritual worlds. These melodies carry a special quality: singing them draws the one who hums or chants them toward awakening in [[teshuvah]] (repentance and return to G‑d) and to a feeling of [[devekus]] — the soul's deep clinging and attachment to the Divine.

	~~The first five niggunim are known with certainty to~~ have ~~been composed by~~ the ~~Alter Rebbe~~. The ~~remaining niggunim are attributed~~ to ~~him, but there is doubt whether he himself composed them~~.		Some Chassidim have the custom not to sing these melodies casually, reserving them instead for appropriate moments or times of heightened spiritual readiness. In the case of the niggun known as [[Arba Bavos (niggun)\|Arba Bavos]] (The Four Chambers), this practice goes beyond personal custom: it reflects an explicit directive from [[the Rebbeim\|our Rebbeim]] — the successive leaders of Chabad — not to treat it as an everyday melody.

	=~~= List~~ of ~~Niggunim ==~~		Of the ten niggunim, the first five are known with certainty to have been composed by the Alter Rebbe himself. The remaining five are attributed to him, though whether he personally composed each of them is a matter of some uncertainty.<ref name="ahlt-515">In ''Hearos U'Biurim Ohalei Torah'', issue 515, p. 50, it is noted that there are actually fourteen niggunim attributed to the Alter Rebbe, of which eight are known with certainty to be his. The additional melodies include [[Niggun Yashan (Alter Rebbe)\|Niggun Yashan]], [[Tzama Lecha Nafshi (Alter Rebbe)\|Tzama Lecha Nafshi]], and [[Niggun LeHakafos]].</ref>

	~~# Arbah Bavos (Four Gates)~~		==The Ten Niggunim==
	~~# [[Eli Atah]]~~
	~~# Kol Dodi~~
	~~# Avinu Malkeinu~~
	~~# Niggun Dveikus Rosh Hashanah~~
	~~# K'Ayal Ta'arog~~
	~~# Tzeinah U'Re'enah~~
	~~# Niggun Dveikus Shabbos~~
	~~# Lecha Dodi~~
	~~# Bnei Heichala~~

	~~== External Links ==~~		#[[Arba Bavos (niggun)\|Arba Bavos]]
			#[[Eli Ata (niggun)\|Eli Ata]]
			#[[Kol Dodi Dofek (niggun)\|Kol Dodi]]
			#[[Avinu Malkeinu (niggun)\|Avinu Malkeinu]]
			#[[Niggun Devekus Rosh Hashana (Alter Rebbe)\|Niggun Devekus — Rosh Hashana]]
			#[[Ka'ayal Taarog (niggun)\|Ka'ayal Taarog]]
			#[[Tze'ena U're'ena (niggun)\|Tze'ena U're'ena]]
			#[[Niggun Devekus Shabbos (Alter Rebbe)\|Niggun Devekus — Shabbos]]
			#[[Lecha Dodi (niggun)\|Lecha Dodi]]
			#[[Bnei Heichala (niggun)\|Bnei Heichala]]

	* '''Sources of Melody - The Alter Rebbe's Ten Niggunim''' on the Heichal Neginah website		==External Links==
	* Pinchas Bichler, '''Ten Supernal Niggunim''', HaMevaser newspaper, Shevat 5772/2012

			* [http://www20.chassidus.com/audio/nigun/03-01-Sources-of-Negginah-The-10-Niggunim-of-The-Alter-Rebbe-Heichal-Neginah.htm Sources of Melody — The Ten Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe] at [[Heichal Neginah]]
			* Pinchas Bichler, [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/index.php?url=article_he&id=66234 Ten Supernal Niggunim], ''HaMevaser'', Shevat 5772

			==Notes==
			<references/>

			[[Category:Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe]]
			[[Category:Niggunim]]
			[[Category:Fundamental Concepts]]
	[[he:עשרת הניגונים]]		[[he:עשרת הניגונים]]

The Ten Niggunim

Raphaelwilmowsky — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:58:17 GMT

Raphaelwilmowsky moved page The Ten Niggunim to The Ten Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe without leaving a redirect The Ten Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe

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A tradition among Chassidim tells that the Alter Rebbe composed '''ten niggunim''' that are precisely calibrated and allude to elevated concepts in the supernal worlds. These niggunim possess a special segulah, bringing those who sing them to an awakening of teshuvah and to a state where the neshamah cleaves to Elokus.

Some have the custom not to sing these niggunim routinely, but rather at designated times or at auspicious moments. Regarding the Niggun Arbah Bavos (Four Gates), this is not merely a chassidic custom but an explicit directive from our Rebbeim.

The first five niggunim are known with certainty to have been composed by the Alter Rebbe. The remaining niggunim are attributed to him, but there is doubt whether he himself composed them.

== List of Niggunim ==

# Arbah Bavos (Four Gates)
# [[Eli Atah]]
# Kol Dodi
# Avinu Malkeinu
# Niggun Dveikus Rosh Hashanah
# K'Ayal Ta'arog
# Tzeinah U'Re'enah
# Niggun Dveikus Shabbos
# Lecha Dodi
# Bnei Heichala

== External Links ==

* '''Sources of Melody - The Alter Rebbe's Ten Niggunim''' on the Heichal Neginah website
* Pinchas Bichler, '''Ten Supernal Niggunim''', HaMevaser newspaper, Shevat 5772/2012

[[he:עשרת הניגונים]]

The Alter Rebbe

Raphaelwilmowsky — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:33:52 GMT

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	*Menachem Bronfman, [http://www.alysefer.com/ראיון-עם-אדמור-הזקן/ A Special Interview with the Alter Rebbe — A "Translation" into Hebrew Giving a Taste of His Responses to His Questioners], at the Alysefer website		*Menachem Bronfman, [http://www.alysefer.com/ראיון-עם-אדמור-הזקן/ A Special Interview with the Alter Rebbe — A "Translation" into Hebrew Giving a Taste of His Responses to His Questioners], at the Alysefer website
	*[http://he.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3562034 Six Videos on the Alter Rebbe] — multimedia segments at the Chabad.org website		*[http://he.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3562034 Six Videos on the Alter Rebbe] — multimedia segments at the Chabad.org website

			== Notes ==
	[[Category:Family of the Alter Rebbe\|*]]		[[Category:Family of the Alter Rebbe\|*]]
	[[Category:The Alter Rebbe\|*]]		[[Category:The Alter Rebbe\|*]]
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	[[Category:Maggidim\|S]]		[[Category:Maggidim\|S]]
	[[he:אדמו"ר הזקן]]		[[he:אדמו"ר הזקן]]
	~~[[index.php?title=Category:The Rebbes of Chabad]]~~

The Mikveh Enactment of the Alter Rebbe

Raphaelwilmowsky — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:28:45 GMT

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	~~==The Mikveh Enactment of the Alter Rebbe==~~

	The '''Mikveh Enactment of the Alter Rebbe''' is a ruling instituted by [[Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi]], the founder of [[Chabad-Lubavitch]] Chassidism. Its purpose was to establish a standard for the [[mikveh]] (ritual immersion pool) that would be not only valid according to all halachic opinions, but also filled with warm, comfortable water so that immersion could be performed with calm and composure, as Jewish law requires. This enactment is considered one of three major rulings instituted by Rabbi Schneur Zalman, and is held in high regard both by him and by leading halachic authorities throughout the generations.		The '''Mikveh Enactment of the Alter Rebbe''' is a ruling instituted by [[Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi]], the founder of [[Chabad-Lubavitch]] Chassidism. Its purpose was to establish a standard for the [[mikveh]] (ritual immersion pool) that would be not only valid according to all halachic opinions, but also filled with warm, comfortable water so that immersion could be performed with calm and composure, as Jewish law requires. This enactment is considered one of three major rulings instituted by Rabbi Schneur Zalman, and is held in high regard both by him and by leading halachic authorities throughout the generations.

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	[[Category:Mikveh]]		[[Category:Mikveh]]
	[[category: ~~chabad enactments~~]]		[[category: Chabad Enactments]]
			[[he:מקווה בשיטת אדמו"ר הזקן]]

The Mikveh Enactment of the Alter Rebbe

Raphaelwilmowsky — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:11:19 GMT

Created page with "==The Mikveh Enactment of the Alter Rebbe== The '''Mikveh Enactment of the Alter Rebbe''' is a ruling instituted by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidism. Its purpose was to establish a standard for the mikveh (ritual immersion pool) that would be not only valid according to all halachic opinions, but also filled with warm, comfortable water so that immersion could be performed with calm and composure, as Jewish law requir..."

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==The Mikveh Enactment of the Alter Rebbe==

The '''Mikveh Enactment of the Alter Rebbe''' is a ruling instituted by [[Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi]], the founder of [[Chabad-Lubavitch]] Chassidism. Its purpose was to establish a standard for the [[mikveh]] (ritual immersion pool) that would be not only valid according to all halachic opinions, but also filled with warm, comfortable water so that immersion could be performed with calm and composure, as Jewish law requires. This enactment is considered one of three major rulings instituted by Rabbi Schneur Zalman, and is held in high regard both by him and by leading halachic authorities throughout the generations.

==Background==

In earlier times, building a mikveh whose water would be warm presented serious technical and legal difficulties. Immersion therefore typically took place in natural springs, for two reasons: first, springs were halachically preferable in many respects;<ref name="divrei-yatziv">See Responsa ''Divrei Yatziv'', Yoreh De'ah section.</ref> second, in many regions there was simply no rainfall sufficient to fill a mikveh from rainwater flowing directly into it. And of course, the continuously flowing water of a spring could not practically be heated, so immersion was performed in cold water.

Many rabbinic leaders of northern Europe — regions with harsh winters — were eager to find a way to make mikveh waters warm and pleasant, so that women would not be deterred from immersing, and so that they could immerse unhurriedly, taking time to smooth out the folds of skin as halachah requires for the immersion to be fully valid according to all opinions.

The common solution was to place a large barrel, holding at least forty [[se'ah]] (the minimum volume for a valid mikveh), into the spring. The barrel was connected by a chain to the floor of the spring so it could be positioned precisely, and water entered it through a small hole in its side — not drawn by hand. Two additional holes were made in the barrel: one to ensure it would not be classified as a "vessel" (since immersion in a vessel is halachically invalid, and water inside a vessel may be considered ''drawn water,'' which disqualifies a mikveh); a second hole, the size of a ''shefoferet ha-nod'' (a tube two fingerwidths by two fingerwidths), was made to purify any drawn water that had entered the barrel before the hole was made, by means of [[hashakah]] — connecting the barrel's water to the spring. Once the barrel was set in place and its holes properly arranged, the barrel was sealed tightly (so its water would not be considered ''zochalin,'' flowing water, which disqualifies a mikveh), and immersion was performed in it.

This arrangement drew vigorous objection from many authorities. They argued that the barrel still retained the legal status of a "vessel," making immersion in it forbidden. While the Talmud in [[Tractate Bava Kamma]]<ref name="bk-sז">[[Bava Kamma]] 67a.</ref> rules that a vessel which was fixed into the ground before being fashioned into a vessel may be permitted, many decisors<ref name="rishonim-keli">The opinions of the [[Ra'avad]], the [[Ritva]], and the [[Rosh]] in a responsum, cited in Responsa ''Tzemach Tzedek'', siman 171.</ref> held that this principle applies only to the disqualification of drawn water — not to the separate prohibition of immersing in a vessel, which is derived from a verse in [[Torat Kohanim]]:<ref name="torat-kohanim-shemini">Parshas Shemini.</ref>

{{quote|Just as a spring is in the ground, so too a mikveh must be in the ground.}}

Furthermore, many authorities maintained that the barrel could not be considered a case of "fixed first, then fashioned," since it was not embedded in the ground at all — it hung suspended in the spring's water. The preeminent posek of the generation, the [[Chasam Sofer]], ruled publicly that these mikvehs were invalid even after the fact.

Against this backdrop, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi instituted a new type of mikveh — one that would be valid according to all halachic opinions. This mikveh was adopted by many communities across [[Europe]],<ref name="mikveh-mayim-vol1-pg162">''Mikveh Mayim'', vol. 1, p. 162.</ref> was accepted by all the leading decisors without objection, and even the Chasam Sofer gave it his endorsement, describing it as an especially fine and meticulous enactment.<ref name="mikveh-mayim-vol1-pg163">See all sources in ''Mikveh Mayim'', vol. 1, p. 163.</ref>

===The Enactment===

The enactment works as follows. A barrel is constructed in such a way that it will never carry the legal status of a "vessel" — a status that creates multiple halachic problems beyond the issue of drawn water, since a mikveh must be situated in the ground itself, not inside a vessel.

The four walls of the barrel are fashioned separately from its base. The base is then perforated with a large hole — the size of ''motzi rimon,'' meaning the equivalent of three pomegranates pressed together. (There is a dispute among the early authorities about whether this means the hole must be large enough that three pressed pomegranates could pass through it, or whether it is simply a descriptive reference to the type of pomegranates that grow in clusters of three.<ref name="kelim-rimon">In the Mishnah in [[Tractate Keilim]], ''motzi rimon'' is defined as three pomegranates pressed together. The early authorities differ on whether this means the hole must be large enough for three pressed pomegranates to pass through, or whether it refers to the type of pomegranate that grows in clusters of three.</ref>) According to the Alter Rebbe's calculation, this measurement is approximately one [[tefach]] (handbreadth) by one tefach.<ref name="tz-vol3-si1">See Responsa ''Tzemach Tzedek'', siman 176, vol. 3, s.v. 1, cited in the work of Rabbi R.S. Levin, p. 23.</ref> With this large hole in its base, the barrel — even after its walls are joined to the base — never acquires the status of a vessel.<ref name="hillel-paritsh-note">Rabbi [[Hillel of Paritch]] raised an objection: even if the barrel becomes a vessel only after being fixed in the ground, the principle of "fixed first, then fashioned" should permit it. The [[Tzemach Tzedek]] resolved this by clarifying that this principle helps only regarding drawn water — a rabbinic prohibition in which the Sages were lenient — but not regarding the requirement that immersion take place in the ground itself, as derived from the Talmudic passage there. (Responsa ''Tzemach Tzedek'', siman 102.)</ref>

The base of the barrel is fitted precisely to its walls, with no gap around the edges through which cold spring water might enter and defeat the entire purpose of the enactment.

Next, a large plank of [[wood]] is fixed firmly into the floor of the mikveh using [[iron]] nails — which causes it to be considered part of the ground itself under halachah. The base of the barrel is then attached to this plank, sealing the large hole from below. This seal does not give the barrel the status of a vessel, because the sealing is accomplished by the lower portion — the plank — which is itself part of the ground and not part of the barrel. From the barrel's own perspective, it still has a large open hole; the hole is blocked only by what is halachically the ground.

After the barrel is in place, lime is poured into the pomegranate-sized hole, and a watchman is posted to ensure no drawn water enters the barrel. The mikveh is then allowed to fill naturally — without anyone drawing water — until the barrel contains at least forty se'ah of valid water. As the water enters, the lime hardens and seals the hole completely. Once forty se'ah of valid water are present, drawn water may be added without disqualifying the mikveh — according to all halachic opinions.

====Halachic Advantages====

* In this construction, unlike the older barrel arrangements, the barrel is connected to the floor of the spring. It is therefore treated by all opinions as a case of "fixed first, then fashioned" — meaning it does not carry the status of a vessel, its water cannot become drawn water, and immersion within it is permitted.

* The hole — the size of ''motzi rimon'' — was made in the barrel's base before the barrel was joined to the spring floor, and even before it was connected to the mikveh at all. At no point, either before or after assembly, did the barrel independently acquire the status of a vessel. Only after its base was joined to the plank — which itself is part of the ground — was the hole sealed, and that sealing came entirely from the ground side, not from the barrel.

====Halachic Implications====

The leading authorities of subsequent generations identified several broader halachic rulings to be derived from this type of mikveh:

* Water entering the barrel from the spring passes through the small holes in the barrel's walls, and also gradually cycles through them over time. This raises a potential concern: the water might be classified as ''zochalin'' — flowing water — since water must be ''ashborin'' (collected and still) to be valid for immersion. Despite this cycling, the barrel is considered halachically valid, because the movement is ''zechilah she'einah nikheres'' — a flow so slight as to be imperceptible. This appears to confirm the ruling of the [[Rashba]]<ref name="tashbetz-17">Cited in the Tashbetz, vol. 1, siman 17.</ref> that the disqualification of flowing water applies only when water moves rapidly and visibly, like a river, not when it seeps through a small crack.<ref name="tz-yd-176">Responsa ''Tzemach Tzedek'', Yoreh De'ah, simanim 176 and 164, s.v. aleph.</ref>

* The walls of the mikveh in this enactment are held in place by iron nails securing the base. In contemporary mikveh construction, authorities have debated whether a mikveh built of [[concrete]] reinforced with iron rods is valid. The concern is with the principle of ''havayaso al yedei taharah'' — a mikveh must be formed through materials that cannot receive ritual impurity, and iron is one of the vessels that can become impure even without an interior cavity. The Alter Rebbe's mikveh suggests that when the iron serves merely to reinforce and support the walls — rather than constituting the walls themselves — there is no problem of ''havayaso al yedei taharah''.<ref name="mikveh-mayim-vol1-pg160">''Mikveh Mayim'', vol. 1, p. 160.</ref>

==Enactments of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch==

Rabbi [[Menachem Mendel Schneersohn]], the [[Tzemach Tzedek]] — grandson of the Alter Rebbe — added several enhancements to these guidelines:

* According to the original enactment, the wooden plank sealing the barrel from below is connected to the floor with thick nails. The Tzemach Tzedek ruled as an additional stringency that the plank should be fastened to the floor with four nails, while the portion connecting to the barrel (containing the pomegranate-sized hole) should be held with only two nails — so that if the barrel were ever lifted, it would not detach from the plank.

==In Our Time==

With the development of modern technology, this method is no longer necessary. It is now possible to install a heating system inside the mikveh itself that warms the water without disqualifying it — the water is not introduced through any vessel and does not become drawn water.

In Chabad Chassidism, the fifth Rebbe, Rabbi [[Shalom DovBer Schneersohn]], instituted a [[Chabad mikveh|different enactment]] with the goal of building a mikveh that could be heated, that could have its water replaced, and that would avoid any concern about the mixing of drawn water with rainwater through [[hashakah]] (connecting). This was accomplished through the arrangement known as the "[[bor al gabei bor]]" (a pit above a pit) — in which the immersion pool rests directly above a lower pit of rainwater, allowing them to be connected in the most meticulous manner without their waters intermingling.

==Sources==
* Rabbi Yirmiyah Katz, '''Mikveh Mayim''', vol. 1, "A Mikveh According to the Enactments of the Alter Rebbe."
* Rabbi [[Shalom Dovber Levin]], [http://www.chabadlibrary.org/books/pdf/mkvh.pdf ''Tikkunei Mikvaos According to the Enactments of Our Rebbes''] — the enactments and instructions of the Chabad Rebbes.

==Notes==
<references/>

[[Category:Mikveh]]
[[category: chabad enactments]]

Imprisonment and Liberation of the Alter Rebbe

Raphaelwilmowsky — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:07:27 GMT

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	~~==Imprisonment and Liberation of the Alter Rebbe==~~

	[[File:מבצר פטרופבלסקי.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|The Peter and Paul Fortress, where the [[Alter Rebbe]] was held.]]		[[File:מבצר פטרופבלסקי.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|The Peter and Paul Fortress, where the [[Alter Rebbe]] was held.]]

Category:Chabad Enactments

Raphaelwilmowsky — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:06:19 GMT

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[[category:categories]]

Chalukas HaShas

Raphaelwilmowsky — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:05:56 GMT

Created page with "left|thumb|250px|[[The Rebbe filling out his Chalukas HaShas form at the 19 Kislev farbrengen]] '''Chalukas HaShas''' (the division of the Talmud) is an ancient Jewish custom in which the tractates of the Talmud are distributed among the members of a community, each person undertaking to study one tractate over the course of the year. The Alter Rebbe promoted this practice in his [[Igeres HaKodesh]..."

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[[File:הרבי חלוקת הש''ס.jpg|left|thumb|250px|[[The Rebbe]] filling out his Chalukas HaShas form at the [[Yud Tes Kislev|19 Kislev]] [[farbrengen]]]]

'''Chalukas HaShas''' (the division of the Talmud) is an ancient Jewish custom in which the tractates of the [[Talmud]] are distributed among the members of a community, each person undertaking to study one tractate over the course of the year. [[The Alter Rebbe]] promoted this practice in his [[Igeres HaKodesh]]<ref name="igeres">The discourse beginning ''Hocheach Tochiach'', at the end of the book of [[Tanya]].</ref> and accordingly the custom became established to organize the division on [[Yud Tes Kislev]] — the [[Yud Tes Kislev|Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus]] — in honor of the Alter Rebbe's release from imprisonment.

==History==

The practice of dividing the Talmud among a community is an ancient one in Jewish life. In the words of the [[Frierdiker Rebbe]] (the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn):<ref name="frierdiker-igros">''Igros Kodesh'' of the Frierdiker Rebbe, vol. 10, pp. 61–62.</ref> "The ancient custom throughout the Jewish world is to complete the entire Talmud every year in every city, and where possible — in every synagogue and study hall, through the division of tractates."

The Alter Rebbe's own promotion of this practice is well known. In his words:<ref name="kuntres-acharon">''Kuntres Acharon'', end of §9.</ref>

{{quote|To complete the entire Talmud every year, in every city, dividing the tractates by lot or by choice. A city with many minyanim should complete it in each and every minyan; if any minyan is too small to cover the whole Talmud, men from a larger minyan should join them. This shall not be altered — it is a statute that shall not pass.}}

The [[Rebbe Maharash]] wrote: "At the very least, every person must study one tractate of Gemara each year."<ref name="hayom-yom">''HaYom Yom'', 18 Adar II; and in this connection, ''Sefer HaSichos'' 5752, vol. 2, p. 499.</ref>

On this basis the custom was established to organize the division on [[Yud Tes Kislev|19 Kislev]]. From 5663 (1902–03) onward, due to the full schedule of 19 Kislev itself, the practice in [[Lubavitch]] shifted to holding the division on [[24 Teves]] — the yahrzeit of the Alter Rebbe. From 5713 (1952–53), the Rebbe restored the custom to 19 Kislev.<ref name="sichos-5713">''Sefer HaSichos'' 5752, p. 492; original source: ''Toras Menachem — Hisvaaduyos'' 5713, vol. 1, p. 216.</ref>

When the [[Rebbe Rashab]] was abroad during Chalukas HaShas, he would notify his community by telegram which tractate he was taking.<ref name="lubavitch-chayaleha">''Sefer Lubavitch VeChayaleha'', p. 45.</ref>

The Rebbe enumerated several distinct dimensions of participating in Chalukas HaShas:<ref name="sichos-letter">Letter in ''Sefer HaSichos'' 5752, p. 497.</ref>

# The Torah study of the tractate one has taken.
# Studying that tractate as one's contribution to completing the entire Talmud.
# Being counted as though one has learned (in partnership) the entire Talmud.
# The study is considered as learning in a quorum of ten or more.
# Each participant acquires a share in the learning of every other participant.

The Rebbe stated:<ref name="kuntres-12">''Kuntres Al Dvar Chalukas HaShas BeYud Tes Kislev'', end of §12.</ref> "It is understood that one who is capable of completing the entire Talmud on his own, with thorough study, should certainly be blessed and do so. But in addition to that, he should also participate in the communal Chalukas HaShas — because of all the above advantages."

==Details of the Practice==

[[File:חלוקת השס הרבי.jpg|left|thumb|250px|A Chalukas HaShas card in the Rebbe's own handwriting and signature]]

The Talmud is divided among Anash (Chabad Chassidim) — one tractate per person — with a separate division taking place in each community. In this way the Talmud is completed many times over.

The custom is to divide the entire Talmud, including tractates that have no Gemara text (such as the orders of Zeraim and Taharos), and including Tamid and Midos (even though they consist mainly of descriptive narrative).<ref name="kuntres-yud-tes">''Kuntres Al Dvar Chalukas HaShas BeYud Tes Kislev'', 5752.</ref>

It is worthwhile and proper for the commitment to study a tractate to be made in writing, with the written commitment given to another person — since experience shows that this generates additional energy and motivation even when difficulties arise, knowing that someone may ask whether one has kept one's word.<ref name="kuntres-yud-tes"/>

The Rebbe customarily took [[Tractate Sanhedrin]] for himself.<ref name="sanhedrin-note">In the early years the Rebbe also took Tractate Sukkah on behalf of the Frierdiker Rebbe. Some say he also took Tractate Tamid. The Rebbe explained that the Nasi (leader) takes Tractate Sanhedrin specifically because the role of the Sanhedrin was to rule on Jewish law for the entire people — just as the Nasi's role is to guide the people on the proper path.</ref>

The list of participants in the Chalukas HaShas is posted on the walls of the synagogue "for encouragement and as a good remembrance in the House of God."<ref name="beis-chaiyenu">Letter in ''Sefer HaSichos'' 5752, p. 496; ''Beis Chaiyenu'', issue 117, p. 29.</ref> The Rebbe also directed his secretary, Rabbi [[Shalom Mendel Simpson]], to this effect.<ref name="simpson">See ''Maanos Kodesh'' 5752, response 157.</ref>

Those who are in a location too small to divide the entire Talmud join the Chalukas HaShas conducted at the Rebbe's synagogue through [[Machne Israel]].<ref name="sefer-haminhagim">''Sefer HaMinhagim''.</ref>

The Rebbe appointed Rabbi [[Shalom Mendel Simpson]] to oversee Chalukas HaShas within the framework of [[Machne Israel]].

==Joining the Chalukas HaShas==

In accordance with the Rebbe's guidance (for those in locations too small to conduct a complete division), [[Machne Israel]] has set up an online form through which anyone can join the worldwide Chalukas HaShas — see the external links below.

==Notes==
<references/>

==External Links==

; Central Chalukas HaShas website run by [[Machne Israel]]:
* [https://chalukashashasmachne.com Chalukas HaShas — Machne Israel]

; The Rebbe's writings on Chalukas HaShas:
* The Rebbe, [https://he.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3140300 ''Kuntres Al Dvar Chalukas HaShas BeYud Tes Kislev''], 5752 (1991–92)

; Further reading:
* [https://col.org.il/news/134920 Chalukas HaShas: the ancient custom that became one of the observances of 19 Kislev] (col.org.il)
* Rabbi Yisrael Yitzchak Zalmonov, [https://chabad.info/news/638171/ What to consider when choosing a tractate for Chalukas HaShas] (chabad.info)

[[Category:Chabad Enactments]]
[[Category:Yud Tes Kislev]]
[[he:חלוקת הש"ס]]

The Script of the Alter Rebbe

Raphaelwilmowsky — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:59:03 GMT

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	~~{{about\|the letterform system established by the Alter Rebbe\|the instructional book on the subject\|[[Kesav Chabad (book)]]}}~~

	[[File:ראובן הסופר.PNG\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Tefillin parchments attributed to R' [[Reuven HaSofer]] of Yanovitch — the personal scribe of [[the Alter Rebbe]]]]		[[File:ראובן הסופר.PNG\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Tefillin parchments attributed to R' [[Reuven HaSofer]] of Yanovitch — the personal scribe of [[the Alter Rebbe]]]]

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	Despite the Rebbe's extensive efforts<ref name="igros-sources">See ''Igros Kodesh'' of the Rebbe, vol. 6, p. 69; vol. 8, p. 141; vol. 9, p. 199; ''Yagdil Torah'', no. 26, §6; and other sources.</ref> to locate sofrim who had received the letterform tradition in an unbroken chain of personal transmission, these efforts did not succeed, and the transmission was interrupted at some point over the years.		Despite the Rebbe's extensive efforts<ref name="igros-sources">See ''Igros Kodesh'' of the Rebbe, vol. 6, p. 69; vol. 8, p. 141; vol. 9, p. 199; ''Yagdil Torah'', no. 26, §6; and other sources.</ref> to locate sofrim who had received the letterform tradition in an unbroken chain of personal transmission, these efforts did not succeed, and the transmission was interrupted at some point over the years.

	Nevertheless, original tefillin attributed to R' Reuven HaSofer have survived.<ref name="grienglaz">When Rabbi [[Menachem Zev Grienglaz]] showed photographs of these letters to the Frierdiker Rebbe, the Rebbe remarked that he was uncertain whether these letters were written by R' Reuven HaSofer himself or by his disciple, since their handwriting was so remarkably similar that the two could not be distinguished.</ref> These tefillin were preserved by the Gurary family and were presented before the [[Frierdiker Rebbe]] by Rabbi [[Shneiur Zalman Gurary]].<ref name="gurary-tefillin">This appears to be an additional pair of tefillin beyond those of R' Reuven HaSofer that were in the possession of his relative R' [[Yehoshua Falik Gurary]], whose authenticity was attested by the Rebbe Rashab.</ref>content/uploads//2016/01/29-01-2016-01-06-05-magazine_01_80.pdf See the account detailed on p. 34.] This appears to be an additional pair of tefillin beyond those of R' Reuven HaSofer that were in the possession of his relative R' [[Yehoshua Falik Gurary]], whose authenticity was attested by the Rebbe Rashab.</ref>		Nevertheless, original tefillin attributed to R' Reuven HaSofer have survived.<ref name="grienglaz">When Rabbi [[Menachem Zev Grienglaz]] showed photographs of these letters to the Frierdiker Rebbe, the Rebbe remarked that he was uncertain whether these letters were written by R' Reuven HaSofer himself or by his disciple, since their handwriting was so remarkably similar that the two could not be distinguished.</ref> These tefillin were preserved by the Gurary family and were presented before the [[Frierdiker Rebbe]] by Rabbi [[Shneiur Zalman Gurary]].<ref name="gurary-tefillin">This appears to be an additional pair of tefillin beyond those of R' Reuven HaSofer that were in the possession of his relative R' [[Yehoshua Falik Gurary]], whose authenticity was attested by the Rebbe Rashab.</ref>

	The Rebbe's library also contains a [[~~Megillas Esther written by the Rebbe Maharash\|~~Megillas Esther written by the Rebbe Maharash]]; however, it is difficult to learn from it regarding the precise letterforms, because when the scroll required extensive restoration, the sofer who received it for repair did not preserve the original letterforms carefully. A second Megillah of the Rebbe Maharash is in the possession of descendants of the Ginzburg family — the Maharash's daughter's family.		The Rebbe's library also contains a [[Megillas Esther written by the Rebbe Maharash]]; however, it is difficult to learn from it regarding the precise letterforms, because when the scroll required extensive restoration, the sofer who received it for repair did not preserve the original letterforms carefully. A second Megillah of the Rebbe Maharash is in the possession of descendants of the Ginzburg family — the Maharash's daughter's family.

	The central difficulty in transmitting the tradition through surviving manuscripts is the lack of clarity about which features of the letterforms are essential and which reflect the particular sofer's personal style or aesthetic preference.<ref name="transmission-note">Some argue that the Rebbe's extensive investment in this matter was not to determine '''whether''' these letterforms are definitively accurate and reliable, but rather to '''assist''' sofrim in writing in the Alter Rebbe's script. This reading helps explain why the ''Igros Kodesh'' contains both letters in which the Rebbe investigates specific details of the script and letters in which he directs sofrim to write in the Alter Rebbe's script and instructs Anash (Chabad Chassidim) to endeavor to purchase tefillin and mezuzos in the Alter Rebbe's script specifically.</ref>		The central difficulty in transmitting the tradition through surviving manuscripts is the lack of clarity about which features of the letterforms are essential and which reflect the particular sofer's personal style or aesthetic preference.<ref name="transmission-note">Some argue that the Rebbe's extensive investment in this matter was not to determine '''whether''' these letterforms are definitively accurate and reliable, but rather to '''assist''' sofrim in writing in the Alter Rebbe's script. This reading helps explain why the ''Igros Kodesh'' contains both letters in which the Rebbe investigates specific details of the script and letters in which he directs sofrim to write in the Alter Rebbe's script and instructs Anash (Chabad Chassidim) to endeavor to purchase tefillin and mezuzos in the Alter Rebbe's script specifically.</ref>

The Script of the Alter Rebbe

Raphaelwilmowsky — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:56:48 GMT

Created page with "{{about|the letterform system established by the Alter Rebbe|the instructional book on the subject|Kesav Chabad (book)}} left|thumb|350px|Tefillin parchments attributed to R' [[Reuven HaSofer of Yanovitch — the personal scribe of the Alter Rebbe]] '''Kesav Admur HaZaken''' (the script of the Alter Rebbe) refers to the specific letterforms used in Stam writing — sifrei Torah (Torah scrolls), tefillin, and mezu..."

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{{about|the letterform system established by the Alter Rebbe|the instructional book on the subject|[[Kesav Chabad (book)]]}}

[[File:ראובן הסופר.PNG|left|thumb|350px|Tefillin parchments attributed to R' [[Reuven HaSofer]] of Yanovitch — the personal scribe of [[the Alter Rebbe]]]]

'''Kesav Admur HaZaken''' (the script of the Alter Rebbe) refers to the specific letterforms used in [[Stam]] writing — [[sifrei Torah]] (Torah scrolls), [[tefillin]], and [[mezuzos]] — according to the system established by [[the Alter Rebbe]]. This system synthesizes the two broad traditions of letterform design: that of the halachic authorities (the ''poskim'') and that of the Kabbalists. It is the script used today by the overwhelming majority of Chabad ''sofrim'' (scribes trained in the laws of Stam). In many letters, [[the Rebbe]] encouraged sofrim to investigate the precise letterforms of this script and write accordingly, and urged Chabad Chassidim to purchase tefillin and mezuzos written in the letterforms transmitted from the Alter Rebbe.

==History of the Script==

===The Letterforms===

The visual form of the Assyrian letters (''kesav Ashuris'') used in Stam writing, and the manner of writing them, is a [[halacha leMoshe miSinai]] — a law transmitted to Moses at Sinai. It has been passed down among sofrim throughout the generations, person to person. Nevertheless, over the centuries variations developed in the form of some letters and in the manner of writing them.

===The Main Traditions===

# '''Ashkenazic script''' is divided into three types:
## '''Beis Yosef script''' — the standard Ashkenazic tradition.
## '''Ari script''' — based on the Kabbalah as set out in the works of the [[Arizal]], particularly ''Etz Chaim'' and his interpretation of the Zohar. It differs from Beis Yosef script in several details and was adopted by some Chassidic courts. A major controversy surrounded this script when accusations arose that its promotion reflected Sabbatean influence, with those who favored it charged with harboring Sabbatean views.
## '''Admur HaZaken script''' — the Chabad tradition.
# '''Sephardic script''' — used by Mizrachi Jewish communities. It is also known as ''Vaelish'' script or by the name of the halachic work that describes it, ''Mor UKetzia''.
# '''Yemenite script''' — the tradition of Yemenite Jewry, which includes certain distinctive letterforms.

The Ashkenazic script is generally considered more demanding to write than the Sephardic script.

===Composition of the Letterforms===

On one of the occasions when the Alter Rebbe visited his master [[the Maggid of Mezeritch]], the Maggid instructed him to establish a letterform system that would accord with both the ruling of the halachic authorities and the teachings of the Kabbalistic literature.<ref name="frierdiker-igros">In the letter cited in the following note, the [[Frierdiker Rebbe]] (the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) emphasizes: "that he should arrange the letterforms according to the method of the Kabbalists '''in the Chabad way'''."</ref> In response to this directive, the Alter Rebbe remained in Mezeritch for an additional four weeks, during which he labored intensively over establishing the precise letterforms.

On his return journey home, the Alter Rebbe passed through the town of [[Anipoli]], where he learned that R' [[Zusha of Anipoli]] had instructed his personal scribe<ref name="david-hasofer">The saintly R' [[Dovid HaSofer of Anipoli]], of whom it is told that the Maggid commanded him to devote himself to the craft of writing and instructed his disciples to reveal to him the mystical secrets of the letters and their inner intentions.</ref> to write according to the new letterform system the Alter Rebbe had just established — because R' Zusha had heard a heavenly proclamation that from that point onward, this would be the form of the letters.<ref name="yada-am">See at length in ''Yada Am'', vol. 5, p. 71. For further detail, see ''Igros Kodesh'' of the Frierdiker Rebbe, vol. 9, p. 53, and the references in the notes there.</ref>

The letterforms of this script were transmitted by the Alter Rebbe to his disciple R' [[Reuven HaSofer]] — a G-d-fearing sofer stam who wrote tefillin and mezuzos for the Alter Rebbe personally.

The letterforms as taught by the Alter Rebbe differ in several respects from the letterforms described in his own ''[[Shulchan Aruch HaRav]]''.

===Transmission of the Tradition===

Despite the Rebbe's extensive efforts<ref name="igros-sources">See ''Igros Kodesh'' of the Rebbe, vol. 6, p. 69; vol. 8, p. 141; vol. 9, p. 199; ''Yagdil Torah'', no. 26, §6; and other sources.</ref> to locate sofrim who had received the letterform tradition in an unbroken chain of personal transmission, these efforts did not succeed, and the transmission was interrupted at some point over the years.

Nevertheless, original tefillin attributed to R' Reuven HaSofer have survived.<ref name="grienglaz">When Rabbi [[Menachem Zev Grienglaz]] showed photographs of these letters to the Frierdiker Rebbe, the Rebbe remarked that he was uncertain whether these letters were written by R' Reuven HaSofer himself or by his disciple, since their handwriting was so remarkably similar that the two could not be distinguished.</ref> These tefillin were preserved by the Gurary family and were presented before the [[Frierdiker Rebbe]] by Rabbi [[Shneiur Zalman Gurary]].<ref name="gurary-tefillin">This appears to be an additional pair of tefillin beyond those of R' Reuven HaSofer that were in the possession of his relative R' [[Yehoshua Falik Gurary]], whose authenticity was attested by the Rebbe Rashab.</ref>content/uploads//2016/01/29-01-2016-01-06-05-magazine_01_80.pdf See the account detailed on p. 34.] This appears to be an additional pair of tefillin beyond those of R' Reuven HaSofer that were in the possession of his relative R' [[Yehoshua Falik Gurary]], whose authenticity was attested by the Rebbe Rashab.</ref>

The Rebbe's library also contains a [[Megillas Esther written by the Rebbe Maharash|Megillas Esther written by the Rebbe Maharash]]; however, it is difficult to learn from it regarding the precise letterforms, because when the scroll required extensive restoration, the sofer who received it for repair did not preserve the original letterforms carefully. A second Megillah of the Rebbe Maharash is in the possession of descendants of the Ginzburg family — the Maharash's daughter's family.

The central difficulty in transmitting the tradition through surviving manuscripts is the lack of clarity about which features of the letterforms are essential and which reflect the particular sofer's personal style or aesthetic preference.<ref name="transmission-note">Some argue that the Rebbe's extensive investment in this matter was not to determine '''whether''' these letterforms are definitively accurate and reliable, but rather to '''assist''' sofrim in writing in the Alter Rebbe's script. This reading helps explain why the ''Igros Kodesh'' contains both letters in which the Rebbe investigates specific details of the script and letters in which he directs sofrim to write in the Alter Rebbe's script and instructs Anash (Chabad Chassidim) to endeavor to purchase tefillin and mezuzos in the Alter Rebbe's script specifically.</ref>

==The Rebbe's Position==

Notwithstanding the difficulty in transmitting the tradition in an unbroken personal chain, halachic literature has ruled<ref name="shaarei-teshuva">Sha'arei Teshuva, beginning of §32: '''"One may take care to follow the letterforms written by prominent and renowned sofrim who were men of piety and deed."'''</ref> that the letterforms of an expert sofer may be learned by studying that sofer's writings. On this basis, the [[Frierdiker Rebbe]] directed Rabbi [[Menachem Zev Grienglaz]] in his youth:<ref name="frierdiker-grienglaz">''Igros Kodesh'' of the Frierdiker Rebbe, vol. 6, p. 95.</ref> "It is a pity that you did not accustom yourself to beautiful writing in the letterform tradition of R' Reuven HaSofer, which is a very beautiful hand, for in this country sofrim are much needed."

On the practical level, the Rebbe explicitly directed Chabad Chassidim to purchase tefillin and mezuzos '''specifically''' in the Alter Rebbe's script. To one Chassid who was uncertain about which letterform tradition to use for tefillin he wished to purchase for his family, the Rebbe wrote in a particularly unambiguous letter:<ref name="igros-rebbe-316">''Igros Kodesh'' of the Rebbe, vol. 15, p. 316.</ref>

{{quote|It is astonishing that there is any doubt in this matter, for the principle and ruling is: in the locale of Rav, follow Rav... Would that he would already abandon his habit of searching for difficulties and contradictions, and begin to walk the straight path — putting ''na'aseh'' (doing) before ''nishma'' (understanding) — which is the path that our holy Rebbeim have shown, and which is also the general path for all of Israel.}}

In addition, the Rebbe encouraged<ref name="sofrim-list">Among the sofrim who received guidance from the Rebbe: Rabbi [[Eliezer Zvi Tzirkinד]] (Crown Heights), Rabbi [[Menachem Mendel Aharonov]] (Canada), Rabbi [[Chaim Uzer Marinovksy]], Rabbi Eliyahu Gabai, Rabbi [[Shimshon Kahana]], and others. See the sources cited in full in the introduction to the book [[Kesav Chabad (book)|Kesav Chabad]].</ref> several sofrim stam to study the letterforms of the Alter Rebbe's script from the tefillin parchments attributed to R' Reuven HaSofer, and to follow them in practice.

===The Ongoing Debate===

Notwithstanding the Rebbe's many statements on this script, a number of influential sofrim and rabbis<ref name="lishner">The sofer Rabbi Yisrael Mordechai Lishner (Kfar Chabad) testified in the name of Rabbi [[Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi]] that the latter instructed him to write only in the Arizal script.</ref> maintain that this script should not be used because of the absence of a clear, unbroken tradition. To support their position, they cite letters of the Rebbe in which he investigates specific details of the Chabad script.

Those who favor use of this script respond in several ways:

'''A.''' While the Rebbe was investigating details of the script, he simultaneously issued private instructions to numerous Chassidim to use this script specifically.

'''B.''' None of the Rebbe's references to this script contain any statement ruling against its use — every relevant response points in a positive direction.

'''C.''' The script known as the Arizal script — used by those who oppose the Alter Rebbe's script — also lacks a clear unbroken transmission and has itself undergone several changes over the years,<ref name="maggid-reason">According to this view, this is in fact the original reason the Maggid of Mezeritch asked the Alter Rebbe to establish a new letterform system.</ref> particularly in the aftermath of the Second World War.<ref name="baasrihe">See at length on this point in the pamphlet ''BeAsrihe DeRav''.</ref>

'''D.''' The Rebbe's inquiries about the script date only up to approximately 5730–5731 (1969–71). Following the wave of emigration from the Soviet Union at that time — which included Chabad sofrim who carried authentic traditional knowledge — the outstanding uncertainties were resolved.

A wide-ranging debate on the use of this script was conducted in 5766 (2005–06) across several Chabad Torah forums, including [[Kovetz He'aros UBiurim Ohalei Torah]],<ref name="haoros-kovetz">[http://www.haoros.com/archive/index.asp?kovetz=888&cat=11&haoro=2 Issue 891] and [http://www.haoros.com/archive/index.asp?kovetz=888&cat=11&haoro=2 Issue 888], among others.</ref> [[Kfar Chabad Weekly]], and [[Kuntres HaHiskashrus]].<ref name="hiskashrus-issues">[http://chabad-il.org/hit/hit237.htm Issue 237], [http://chabad-il.org/hit/hit409.htm Issue 409], [http://www.chabad.org.il/Magazines/Article.asp?ArticleID=5177&CategoryID=1191 Issue 735].</ref>

==Further Reading==

* Rabbi Moshe Weiner, ''Osios HaRav'', 5751 (1990–91).
* Rabbi Avraham Levi, ''[[Kesav Chabad (book)|Kesav Chabad]]'', 5769 (2008–09); revised edition 5775 (2014–15).
* Rabbi Menachem Mendel Blinov, ''BeAsrihe DeRav'', 5778 (2017–18).
* ''Tikkun Korim in the Script Attributed to the Alter Rebbe'', Chazak Publications, 5780 (2019–20).
* Rabbi [[Yissachar Dovid Kloizner]], "Shelillas Kesiva BeKesav HaMeyuchas LeAdmur HaZaken," ''Shaarei HaTemimim'', no. 11, p. 65.

==External Links==

* [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=30434&st=&pgnum=129&hilite= A miraculous account connected with the revelation of the Alter Rebbe's letterform system]. ''Ohalei Shem'', issue 9.
* Rabbi [[Yehoshua Mondshine]], [https://www.kramim.info/article/stam/86067962 The Stam script established by the Alter Rebbe] — a collection of Chassidic accounts and responses from the Chabad Rebbes.
* Rabbi [[Yaakov Tayeb]], ''Kesav Chabad'', ''Derech Tamim'', issue 1, p. 32; ''Kesav Chabad'', [https://bmoshiach.org/wp-content/themes/appme-child/images/Hatomim-sample.pdf ''HaTamim''] (English supplement of ''Beis Moshiach Weekly''), issue 8, p. 13.
* Rabbi [[Yosef Simcha Ginzburg]], [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pagefeed/hebrewbooks_org_30501_239.pdf Olellos], ''Ohalei Shem'', year 3, vol. 6.
* Rabbi [[Shalom Dovber Levin]], [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fe-5JdbZbWfoND0_dB-Obh9g6ZfHdcx-/view The Script Attributed to the Alter Rebbe], in ''He'aros UBiurim Ohalei Torah'', no. 1257 (3), Parshas Noach 5785, p. 56.
* Photograph of a tefillin parsha from the Frierdiker Rebbe's tefillin [given by the Rebbe to the sofer R' Elazar Zvi Zev Tzirkind so that he could study the letterforms of the script attributed to the Alter Rebbe]. Forum for Stam topics (Rabbi Moshe Weiner). Post dated Monday, November 19, 2012.

==Notes==
<references/>

[[Category:Core Concepts]]
[[Category:Stam]]
[[he:כתב אדמו"ר הזקן]]

The Polished Knife Enactment

Raphaelwilmowsky — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:47:30 GMT

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	~~==Polished Knife==~~

	A '''polished knife''' (''sakin meluṭash'') is a slaughtering knife whose cross-sectional profile is already triangular before sharpening begins.<ref name="shiurei-halakha">''Shiurei Halakha LeMaaseh'', part 2, by Rabbi Shalom Dovber Levin (citing Rabbi Dovber Yunik), pp. 11ff.</ref> This method of manufacturing slaughtering knives was introduced by the disciples of [[the Maggid of Mezeritch]],<ref name="sheerit-yehuda">''Sheerit Yehuda'' by the Maharil (brother of the Alter Rebbe), Yoreh Deah, §19.</ref> and allows the knife to be sharpened in a way that achieves both sharpness and smoothness simultaneously.		A '''polished knife''' (''sakin meluṭash'') is a slaughtering knife whose cross-sectional profile is already triangular before sharpening begins.<ref name="shiurei-halakha">''Shiurei Halakha LeMaaseh'', part 2, by Rabbi Shalom Dovber Levin (citing Rabbi Dovber Yunik), pp. 11ff.</ref> This method of manufacturing slaughtering knives was introduced by the disciples of [[the Maggid of Mezeritch]],<ref name="sheerit-yehuda">''Sheerit Yehuda'' by the Maharil (brother of the Alter Rebbe), Yoreh Deah, §19.</ref> and allows the knife to be sharpened in a way that achieves both sharpness and smoothness simultaneously.

The Polished Knife Enactment

Raphaelwilmowsky — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:47:16 GMT

Created page with "==Polished Knife== A '''polished knife''' (''sakin meluṭash'') is a slaughtering knife whose cross-sectional profile is already triangular before sharpening begins.<ref name="shiurei-halakha">''Shiurei Halakha LeMaaseh'', part 2, by Rabbi Shalom Dovber Levin (citing Rabbi Dovber Yunik), pp. 11ff.</ref> This method of manufacturing slaughtering knives was introduced by the disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch,<ref name="sheerit-yehuda">''Sheerit Yehuda'' by the Mah..."

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==Polished Knife==

A '''polished knife''' (''sakin meluṭash'') is a slaughtering knife whose cross-sectional profile is already triangular before sharpening begins.<ref name="shiurei-halakha">''Shiurei Halakha LeMaaseh'', part 2, by Rabbi Shalom Dovber Levin (citing Rabbi Dovber Yunik), pp. 11ff.</ref> This method of manufacturing slaughtering knives was introduced by the disciples of [[the Maggid of Mezeritch]],<ref name="sheerit-yehuda">''Sheerit Yehuda'' by the Maharil (brother of the Alter Rebbe), Yoreh Deah, §19.</ref> and allows the knife to be sharpened in a way that achieves both sharpness and smoothness simultaneously.

==The Slaughtering Knife==

One of the most essential elements of [[shechitah]] — the Jewish method of ritual slaughter — is the slaughtering knife itself, called the ''chalaf''. The name derives from the Hebrew word meaning "to exchange," since the knife transitions the animal from life to death, from a state of prohibition to a state of permissibility.<ref name="kuntres-shechita">Based on ''Kuntres Shechitas Lubavitch'', Mordechai Bistritzky, 5769 (2008–09).</ref>

For details regarding the preparation, sharpening, and inspection of the knife, as well as the rulings of the Chabad Rebbes and the customs of Chabad shochtim (ritual slaughterers), see [[Shechitas Lubavitch]].

==The Polished Knife Enactment==

===Rationale===

The Alter Rebbe himself explains the rationale for the enactment in a responsum addressed to opponents in Vilna.<ref name="responsa-seven">Responsa, §7.</ref> In brief: a knife that is not polished is very difficult to make both smooth and sharp at once. While it is technically possible, it is not within the ability of every person, and even a skilled sharpener must invest considerable time — and conditions are not always ideal for the slaughterer. By contrast, with a polished knife, the task is straightforward for a craftsman, requiring no great investment of time.

The Alter Rebbe does not explain in that letter precisely ''what'' a polished knife is and how it is sharpened; that knowledge was transmitted among shochtim as an oral tradition from generation to generation, and was later set down in writing by Rabbi Shalom Ber Levin (who received it from Rabbi Dovber Yunik), and has since been printed in several places.<ref name="yagdil-torah">''Yagdil Torah'' (New York), no. 19, §80; and in the new edition of ''Shulchan Aruch HaRav'', among other places.</ref>

===What Is a Polished Knife===

[[File:צורות_פרופיל_הסכין.jpg|left|thumb|Cross-sectional profiles of polished and unpolished knives]]

The diagrams at left illustrate the difference between a polished and an unpolished knife (the standard type used for slaughter before the Alter Rebbe's enactment). Each diagram shows a cross-sectional profile — that is, as if the knife were sliced through and one is viewing the thickness of the metal at the cut.

'''Diagram A''' shows an unpolished knife before sharpening.

'''Diagram B''' shows an unpolished knife sharpened at a sharp angle. Such sharpening can produce a very keen edge, but it is extremely difficult to achieve a smooth surface on the blade's edge; the tip typically catches on the finger during inspection, and a nick (''pegimah'') — a disqualifying flaw — is highly likely.

'''Diagram C''' shows an unpolished knife sharpened at a sharp angle by someone who is not a craftsman. Because the sharpening surface is wide, the sharpener's hand will almost inevitably shift, causing the blade to become rounded and the tip to be nicked.

'''Diagram D''' shows an unpolished knife sharpened at an obtuse angle. This makes it easy to achieve a smooth surface, but difficult to achieve sharpness — and a slaughterer forced to draw the knife back and forth repeatedly may come to commit ''derasah'' (pressing down rather than drawing the knife in a clean stroke, which renders the animal non-kosher).

'''Diagram E''' shows a polished knife before sharpening.

'''Diagram F''' shows a polished knife after sharpening. Only this type of knife can readily be made both sharp (minimizing the risk of derasah) and smooth (minimizing the risk of a nick).

===Significance of the Enactment===

The Alter Rebbe wrote: "In the matter of slaughter with polished knives — this is a great and weighty mitzvah, which our holy masters of blessed memory upheld and literally gave their lives for, holding that no amount of money is worth having a reliable slaughterer."

At the same time, the Alter Rebbe wrote that those who do not use polished knives must not be regarded as eating forbidden meat: "But if one sometimes sits at a se'udas mitzvah with the people of one's town who do not slaughter with a polished knife — Heaven forbid to distance oneself from them or regard them as eating neveilah. Perish the thought of even mentioning it. I myself have never been strict about their utensils, even those used that very day."<ref name="responsa-shaar">Responsa of the Alter Rebbe, Shaar HaMiluim, §5; see also ''Yagdil Torah'' (New York), no. 19.</ref>

===The Opposition===

Regarding the reasoning of those who opposed the enactment, the Alter Rebbe wrote:<ref name="responsa-ten">Responsa, §10.</ref> "I still cannot fathom the position of those who disagree — what it is and why." He elaborated further in one of his letters:<ref name="igros-103">Igros Kodesh, letter 103.</ref>

When the renowned Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, av beis din of his community, visited our region in 5563 (1802–03), several leading figures of our province (who are not among our followers at all) heard from him in the name of his illustrious teacher, the pious Gaon of blessed memory, that '''there is no prohibition whatsoever''' in slaughtering with polished knives according to the halachah as stated in the Talmud and the legal authorities. Whatever ruling may have come from him<ref name="gra-note">The reference is to the Vilna Gaon.</ref> was only in the nature of a protective fence specifically for our followers — in the same category as the other restrictive decrees that went forth as if by error from the ruling authority in 5532 (1771–72), treating our people as if they were heretics — among those to be put down, not to intermarry with, and so forth — all of this based on reports received from reliable and trustworthy individuals in the eyes of your honored Torah for many years.

===Acceptance of the Enactment===

Though in towns with separate Chassidic and Mitnagdic (traditionalist-rabbinic opposition) communities — each with its own slaughter — there were various tensions, the enactment gradually gained acceptance in many communities. As the Alter Rebbe wrote:<ref name="igros-103b">Igros Kodesh, letter 103.</ref> "Throughout the provinces of Ukraine, Galicia, Podolia, and most of Volhynia they eat from polished knives — including in the great city of Dubna, where our followers are not present at all; and likewise in Ostra, Kremenets, Lutsk, and other major communities that have no connection to our followers — and also in the Holy Land, and many Sephardim as well."

The great efforts of the Alter Rebbe and the Chassidim to quiet the controversy are evident from his further appeal to the opponents:<ref name="igros-103c">Igros Kodesh, letter 103.</ref>

{{quote|They have not explained to me what the stumbling block is by which they cause the public of their community to stumble, and therefore I do not understand why their honored Torah has issued such sharp words regarding polished knives on account of the decrees of 5532. And what they wrote in their letter — that one should be concerned about a great controversy — I do not fully understand. Is not their honored Torah seated upon the chair of halachic authority, to guide the people in the commandments of God and His Torah? '''They''' are the leaders of the thousands of Israel in their community, and the eyes of all Israel are turned '''to them''' — the body follows the head. If their honored Torah were to rule permissively — who would dare question their judgment, God forbid? Everything follows the conclusion; let us conclude and seal this in peace — for I am peace.}}

After the Alter Rebbe's second imprisonment, the great controversy began to fade. From 5564 (1803–04) onward — when Rabbi Avraham Avli of Posval, who maintained warm relations with the Chabad Rebbes,<ref name="chabad-history">As recounted in ''Toldos Chabad BePolyn Lita VeLatvia'', ch. 5.</ref> was appointed av beis din of Vilna — Mitnagdic communities generally permitted the appointment of Chassidic shochtim who slaughtered exclusively with polished knives. This is documented in Vitebsk in 5565 (1804–05)<ref name="igros-appendix">Igros Kodesh, ibid., appendix 35.</ref> and in the Lithuanian town of Birzh in 5580 (1819–20),<ref name="beis-hagenazim">''MiBeis HaGenazim'', p. 158.</ref> where communities were permitted "to take for their needs a shochet who will slaughter for them according to their practice." Gradually the polished knife enactment was accepted throughout the Jewish world. As ''Sheerit Yehuda'' records:<ref name="sheerit-yehuda-final">''Sheerit Yehuda'', by the Maharil (brother of the Alter Rebbe), Yoreh Deah, §19.</ref>

{{quote|They labored greatly and endured much suffering and many trials in fierce battles against the opponents — until their righteousness came to light and the land was quiet.}}

Today, not a single unpolished knife is to be found among shochtim anywhere; all have universally accepted this stringency of the Alter Rebbe.<ref name="hilchos-shechita">See further in ''Sefer Hilchos Shechitah im Biurei Hilchos'', p. 250.</ref>

==See Also==
* [[Shechitah]]

==Further Reading==

* "VeEs Vahev BeSufah" — on shechitah and the polished knife enactment — ''Bnei Heichala'', issue 2, [[19 Kislev]] 5785 (2024), from the series by Rabbi [[Hillel Anixter]] on controversies, published in ''[[Bnei Heichala (journal)|Bnei Heichala]]''.

==Notes==
<references/>

[[Category:Chabad Enactments]]
[[he:תקנת הסכינים המלוטשות]]