Editing Portal:Music/Songs composed for the Rebbe's birthday

Chassidim in the Chabad-Lubavitch community have a longstanding custom of singing niggunim (melodies) incorporating verses from the Rebbe’s kapitel (chapter) of Tehillim (Psalms) in honor of his birthday on Yud Alef Nissan (11th of Nissan) and throughout the year. This practice originated from the Rebbe’s instructions over the years, encouraging the singing of niggunim with lyrics corresponding to the kapitel of either the Friediker Rebbe or the Rebbe himself.

Examples of such niggunim include “Vechol Karnei Reshaim” in the year 5714 (1954) and “Tzama” in 5725 (1965). By 5730 (1970), Chassidim began pairing words from the upcoming kapitel with pre-existing niggunim. The Rebbe strongly encouraged this practice, which the Chassidim understood as an endorsement to continue annually.

In 5742 (1982), Rabbi Feitel Levin composed a new niggun starting with the words “Harninu L’Elokim.” The Rebbe accepted this composition, marking the beginning of a tradition where many Chassidim would submit new niggunim each year. The melody most embraced by the community would be sung at farbrengens (Chassidic gatherings) throughout the year.

As the number and variety of compositions increased, a committee was eventually established to select the annual niggun. The chosen melody would be officially introduced at the Yud Alef Nissan farbrengen and subsequently sung at all farbrengens until the following year.