Nigun "Keli Ata"

Keli Ata is one of the Ten Niggunim of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi. It is the third niggun in the Sefer HaNiggunim.

The words of the niggun are drawn from Psalms (chapter 118, verse 28) and are recited during the Hallel prayer:

אֵ-לִי אַתָּה וְאוֹדֶךָּ, אֱלֹקַי אֲרוֹמְמֶךָּ

"You are my G‑d and I will thank You; my G‑d, I will exalt You."

In Beis Rabbeinu — 770— it is customary to sing this niggun at the close of the Pesach seder, after the recitation of Leshanah Haba'ah BiYerushalayim ("Next year in Jerusalem"), at the moment when Elijah's wine is poured back from his cup into the bottle.

The niggun is also sung at the Rebbe's court during the drawing of mayim shelanu — the water set aside from the previous night for use in baking matzah.

The Rebbe cited the Frierdiker Rebbe to the effect that this niggun is a segulah — a propitious means — for a revelation of Elijah the Prophet.

In addition to this niggun, there is a separate niggun on the same words attributed to the Tzemach Tzedek, which does not appear in the Sefer HaNiggunim.

External Links

Audio

• Keli Ata — sung by the Rebbe
• Keli Ata — sung by the baal menagen R' Dovid Horowitz
• Keli Ata at Heichal Neginah
• Keli Ata from Nichoach, vol. 1
• Keli Ata — arrangement by R' Elior Valner
• Keli Ata — arrangement by Chanan Bar Sela
• Keli Ata — from HaNiggunim HaMekuvanim
• Keli Ata — performed by the Shevet Achim ensemble
• Keli Ata — performed by Avraham Fried (video)