Niggun Tzamah Nafshi

"Tzamah Nafshi" is a Chabad niggun (melody) attributed to the Rebbe Maharash. It is taken from the piyut (liturgical poem) by Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra, which is customarily sung in Ashkenazi communities on Friday night.

About the Niggun

During the flourishing period of Jewish poetry in Spain, a type of piyutim called "reshut" (permission) spread. Their content served as an introduction and request for permission recited by the cantor before various prayers.

This niggun is based on the first verse of the piyut written by Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra about 800 years ago (5th century Hebrew/ 12th century CE). It was composed as a "reshut" for the "Nishmat" prayer of Shemini Atzeret.

All verses in the piyut rhyme and conclude with the verse from Psalms: "My heart and my flesh shall sing to the living God."

Regarding the content of the piyut, Ibn Ezra himself writes in his commentary on the opening verse that he compares thirst for water - since on this day we are judged concerning water and begin to pray for water - to how just as all humanity needs water and depends on it, so too a Jew yearns for connection with the Holy One, Blessed be He, and depends on Him.

Throughout the piyut, each verse includes a different verse ending with the word 'chai' (living), which rhymes with the verse "yeranenu el E-l chai" (shall sing to the living God) that concludes all verses.

Although the piyut was composed as an introduction to prayer on Shemini Atzeret, nowadays Ashkenazi communities customarily sing it as part of the Friday night zemirot (table songs).

The section attributed to the Rebbe Maharash is based on the refrain of the piyut.

This niggun is #11 in the Niggunim Tradition Project.

Lyrics of the Niggun

Tzamah nafshi l'Elokim l'E-l chai, libi u'vsari yeranenu l'E-l chai — Psalms 42