HaRebbe Shlita (song)

HaRebbe Shlita are the opening words of a Chabad niggun composed in 5740 (1980) to a melody originating from outside Chassidus. The niggun was originally composed for a Lag BaOmer parade and became popular in Chabad camps. In 5743 (1983), the niggun was sung for the first time in the Rebbe's presence and was subsequently sung many times before the Rebbe, with the Rebbe encouraging the singing, especially during the final part of the song with the words "we will overcome the world..."

Part of a series on Music in Chabad
Nigunim
Daled Bavos • Bnei Heichala • Ka'ayal Ta'arog • Nye Zhuritze Chloptzi • Ad Mosai • HaRebbe Shlita
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This niggun is number 55 in the Tradition of Niggunim Project.

The Niggun's Words

The Rebbe Shlita, the Rebbe Shlita, there's none like you in the world. The Rebbe Shlita, the Rebbe Shlita, everyone loves you. And he will return the hearts of fathers to sons, by bringing close all Jews, with Ahavas Yisroel and the twelve pesukim, we will soon bring the Redeemer. Together with one heart, and all of us with one voice - through the greatest Commander-in-Chief of all - we will overcome the world.

Initially, the niggun began with the words: "The Rebbe Shlita, the Rebbe Shlita, there's none like you in the world," and in 5753 (1993), when they sang this niggun before the Rebbe, they added the words "Melech HaMoshiach" in the first phrase and sang: "The Rebbe Shlita, Melech HaMoshiach, there's none like you in the world."

Origin of the Niggun

In preparation for the first Lag BaOmer parade in 5740 (1980) in Tel Aviv, several bochurim sat in the zal of the yeshiva in Kfar Chabad and began composing songs for the parade. As part of those slogans and songs, the bochur Avshalom Kil brought out a song that was previously composed for a parade in Kiryat Gat by him (with the assistance of Eliezer Yakunt), called "The Rebbe" - words expressing appreciation for the Rebbe Shlita. This song was composed to a well-known Israeli melody of a popular children's song among the non-observant public. The song was warmly adopted by the parade management committee, since the melody was popular among Israeli children, and at the parade itself, the well-known entertainer Moti Giladi (who was among the attractions brought to the parade) even sang it on stage.

Later, this niggun was also used in Chabad camps throughout Israel, such as in the Chabad camp held in Tzfat in 5741 (1981) by Rabbi Rami Antian, thus exposing it to additional Anash and Tmimim.

Singing in the Rebbe's Presence

During Sukkos 5741 (1980), Rabbi Dovid Nachshon's children, Shalom Dov Ber and his sister Dina, stood at 770 near the Rebbe's room, and when he came out to the sukkah, they sang the niggun with great enthusiasm. The Rebbe strongly encouraged them with his holy hands and a broad smile, as well as upon his return from the sukkah. The niggun was also sung during Simchas Beis HaShoeivah 5741.

During Shavuos 5743 (1983), Rabbi Moshe Dickstein, who organized the main parade in Tel Aviv and later took part in promoting the song in camps, was at 770 and asked Chazzan Rabbi Moshe Teleshevsky to start the niggun with him during Kos Shel Bracha. In practice, for some reason, Rabbi Teleshevsky did not start the niggun, and when Rabbi Dickstein reached the Rebbe, he held onto the Rebbe's table and began to sing this song for the first time in the Rebbe's presence, with Rabbi Rami Antian standing behind him helping him overcome the pressure and pushing that prevailed in the area. When he reached the final movement (after the words 'we will overcome the world'), the Rebbe placed his cup on the table in a rare gesture and began to strongly encourage the niggun with both hands...

On Simchas Torah 5748 (1987), while walking with the Torah from the Aron Kodesh to the bimah in 770, Rabbi Yisroel Duchman began to sing the niggun in the Rebbe's presence, and the Rebbe encouraged it. Since then, they began to sing the niggun before the Rebbe, and the Rebbe encouraged it very much, especially the last "movement" ("world").

This niggun is regularly sung during Kos Shel Bracha. In recent years, the niggun is also played during farbrengens held at 770 on Rosh Hashanah, Simchas Torah, Acharon Shel Pesach, and Motzei Shavuos.