The Nigun "V'Hu Yigaleinu"

The nigun "V'Hu Yigaleinu" is a joyous Chabad nigun that expresses the Chassidim's belief that the Lubavitcher Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach, and their certainty that he will be revealed and redeem us very soon.

Melody and Lyrics

The nigun was composed by Chabad musician R' Moshe Yes and singer R' Avi Piamenta in Summer 5755 (1995) as a gift for Camp Machaneh Menachem.

The original lyrics were: "The Lubavitcher Rebbe is Moshiach, chai v'kayam. V'hu yigaleinu Moshiach Tzidkeinu"

After the song was published, some Chassidim changed the lyrics to present tense: "The Rebbe chai v'kayam, v'hu goaleinu Moshiach Tzidkeinu"

This version is the accepted one today, and the nigun is sung with these lyrics in most occasions. Some sing this version: "The Rebbe is Moshiach, chai v'kayam v'hu yigaleinu."

Relationship to the Nigun

The nigun was first sung in 770 on Simchas Torah 5756 (1995). In the following years, the Chassidim established the custom of singing the nigun in 770 after every tefillah. It is also sung at farbrengens, gatherings, and other occasions. On most Shabbosos in 770, Chabad shuls, and many Chabad houses, they sing the nigun's melody during "Lecha Dodi."

Today most Chassidim relate to it as a full-fledged Chabad nigun, based on the Rebbe's statement that a nigun that is accepted and sung by Chassidim becomes a 'Chassidic nigun'. Additionally, they note that although we didn't see the Rebbe's reaction to the nigun, it is sung at the Rebbe's farbrengens held in recent years.

There are some Chabad Chassidim who don't accept the nigun as part of Chabad nigunim, some due to opposition to the content expressed in the song's lyrics, and some arguing that it's not proper to accept it as a Chassidic nigun since we didn't see the Rebbe encourage it.

Further Reading

• A. Avraham, "V'Hu Yigaleinu, Moshiach Tzidkeinu", in Beis Moshiach Weekly Issue 105
• A. Avraham, "The Rebbe Only Has Healthy Children", in Beis Moshiach Weekly Issue 106