Niggun Bnei Heichala

Bnei Heichala is a niggun of yearning based on the piyut by the Arizal (whose holy name - Yitzchak Luria - is hinted at in the first letters of the verses of the piyut).

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The piyut discusses the greatness of the time of Raava D'Raavin on Shabbos. It is traditionally accepted among Chassidim that this is one of the ten niggunim of the Alter Rebbe.

The Alter Rebbe included this piyut in his siddur in the 'Seder Seudah Shlishis' section for Shabbos day.

Origins of the Niggun

It is brought down that when Reb Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov came to the Maggid of Mezritch, he would eat two meals with the Maggid, and would make the third meal by himself. The Maggid instructed the Alter Rebbe to go to Reb Michel's third meal that Shabbos. There, the Alter Rebbe received the niggun that Reb Michel used to sing by the Baal Shem Tov.

Therefore, we find that the niggun is sometimes attributed to both Reb Michel and the Baal Shem Tov.

In the courts that follow Reb Michel of Zlotchov's tradition, the niggun is sung with slight variations.

According to another opinion, the niggun was composed by Reb Hillel Paritcher.

This niggun is number 10 in Sefer HaNiggunim.

This niggun was sung several times in the presence of the Rebbe, when farbrengens took place during Shabbos afternoon hours.

Words of the Piyut

The author's name is spelled out in the first letters of each verse of the piyut, with each verse consisting of two parts and the second part rhyming with the other verses.

In the Chabad version of the piyut's niggun, the melody repeats itself every three verses, resulting in the last verse standing alone, which is customarily repeated multiple times.

Original Text: Bnei heichala dichsifin l'mechezei ziv dizair anpin. Yehon hacha b'hai taka d'bei malka b'gilufin. Tzevu lachada b'hai vaada b'go irin v'chol gadfin. Chadu hashta b'hai shaata d'bei raava v'leit zaafin. Krivu li chazu cheili d'leit dinin ditkifin. L'var natlin v'la alin hanei kalbin dachatizifin. V'ha azmin atik yomin l'mitzcha adei yehon chalfin. R'u dilei d'galei lei l'batala b'chol klifin. Yeshavei lon b'nokveihon vitamrun b'go keifin. Arei hashta b'minchata b'chedvasa dizair anpin.

Translation: The sons of the palace who yearn to see the radiance of Zeir Anpin: May they be here at this table, where the King is in revelry: They desired greatly this gathering, among angels and all winged ones: Rejoice now at this time, when there is Divine will and no anger: Draw near to me, see my strength, that there are no strong judgments: Outside travel and do not enter, those brazen dogs: And behold, I will invite the Ancient of Days to the afternoon meal, until they pass: His will that He revealed, to nullify all kelipot: He will place them in their holes, and they will be hidden within rocks: For now at mincha time, in the joy of Zeir Anpin.