Niggun L'chatchila Ariber

Niggun L'chatchila Ariber (called this by the Rebbe, or Niguno Shel Admur HaMaharash (or in Yiddish Dem Rebben's Maharash Niggun)) - is a melody composed by the Admur HaMaharash. The niggun was beloved to him and was sung by him regularly on various occasions: Shabbos Kodesh, Yamim Tovim and Yoma D'Pagra. This niggun is also sung at many of the Rebbe's farbrengens, especially on the birthday and yahrzeit of Admur HaMaharash, as well as when the nigunim of our Rebbeim are sung.

Name of the Niggun

See expanded entry - L'chatchila Ariber

The name of the niggun comes from the saying of Admur HaMaharash, "L'chatchila Ariber." Some claim that the content of this saying is expressed in the movements of the niggun.

This niggun is also known as "Niggun Eins Tzvei Drei Fir" because the musical notes in the second part follow four movements. Another name for the niggun is "Niggun Ein Sof."

Regarding this niggun, it is told: At the end of the book "Hon Ashir" - by the author of "Mishnas Chassidim" - there is a song recorded in musical notation. The Rebbe Maharash read these notes and said that the recorded niggun inspired him to compose this niggun.

This niggun is number 180 in Sefer HaNigunim and was recorded from elder Chassidim.

By the Rebbe

The Rebbe learned this niggun from his grandfather, Rabbi Meir Shlomo HaLevi Yanovsky, who had a great sense for music and was among those who "sat" with the Admur Maharash himself.

There are several recordings where we hear the Rebbe singing this niggun. One can notice a few subtle but consistent differences between the version in Sefer HaNigunim and the Rebbe's version, including a consistent change in the first bava of the niggun.

Times When the Niggun is Sung

At the Rebbe's farbrengens where the order of the Rebbes' nigunim were sung, this niggun would come in the turn of Admur Maharash. Additionally, this niggun would be sung at farbrengens on 2 Iyar, the birthday of Admur Maharash, and on 13 Tishrei, the yahrzeit of Admur Maharash, and on additional dates that the Rebbe would connect to the content of "L'chatchila Ariber."

In the form of the niggun as recorded in notation, the 'Ein Sof' movement repeats itself twice. A special innovation the Rebbe introduced: sometimes he would indicate with movements of his head to repeat this movement again and again. It seems that the number of repetitions was not random in terms of "until your lips wear out," but rather with a specific number: often they would repeat this movement ten times, and in one recording, the Rebbe's piercing voice is heard repeating the movement twenty times in a row, and in a second repetition of the entire niggun from the beginning — ten more times.

Parts of the Niggun

First Bava

The movement of "L'chatchila Ariber," jumping over all obstacles and hindrances, is immediately noticeable in the opening of the niggun, in the leap upward - unlike other Chabad nigunim, in which the ascent is consistent and gradual. It can be said that the approach of Admur Maharash in his saying "L'chatchila Ariber" is expressed in this opening.

Second Bava

The nickname "Eins Tzvei Drei Fir" is named after the "square" notes, having four consistent identical sounds. This musical "square" expresses the boundary, the framework of creation, the order of hishtalshelus (chain of worlds). This consistent sound is the lowest sound in the scale of the niggun, expressing the "bottom" of the niggun — the same bottom from which they leaped and fled in the opening of the first bava.

Third Bava

In contrast, the nickname "Ein Sof" is appropriate for the peak of the niggun in the high tones, which repeat themselves again and again; one can remain in this movement endlessly. This is a movement contrary to the movement of boundary, a movement that is above the order of hishtalshelus.

See Also

• L'chatchila Ariber

External Links

• Rabbi Lev Leibman, Niggun L'chatchila Ariber on the Wall of Nigunim website
• Yechiel Sofer, The Wonderful Story of the Origin of the 'L'chatchila Ariber' Niggun - from Beis Moshiach weekly
• To listen in various performances: The Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach • Heichal HaNeginah • David Horowitz • Nichoach #2

Video

• Benny Friedman and the 'Kapelye' in a moving performance of the Niggun "L'chatchila Ariber"
• Chassidim singing the niggun with the Rebbe
• The Rebbe singing the 'L'chatchila Ariber' niggun