See the preview video here: https://youtu.be/5vdphPzMcAk

I don’t retain every tune that pops into my head. And I don’t compose according to genre, stringing together a bunch of cliches. Each niggun here is unique and memorable. Most function perfectly well independent of the words, which, for me, is the test of a truly inspired niggun. Of course, these classic texts add much to the depth of the experience, but the melodies are capable of standing on their own.

Contents:

1) Lo Seivoshi – The second part of the popular hymn “Lecha Dodi,” sung on Friday night. Traditionally, at least by chassidim, the first several stanzas are sung to a slower melody, and the later ones to a more lively one.
2) Sholom Aleichem – The first song sung upon returning home Friday night, welcoming the Shabbos angels.
3) Aishes Chayil – The famous text from the Book of Mishlei (Proverbs), praising the Jewish wife, which is also a metaphor for the Torah and the Shechinah (Divine Presence)
4) Azamer Bishvachin – My own melody to the mystical poem sung before the Kiddush on Friday night, written by the Ari z”l.
5) Adon Olam – A simple, elegant, universal melody set to the classic text that opens and closes the morning Shacharis prayers.
6) Mimkomcho – Climax of the Kedushah prayer of Shabbos Shacharis, a dramatic and heart felt supplication for G-d to reveal Himself and bring Moshiach, and His kingdom will reign forever.
7) Yom Zeh Mechubad – A lively tune for the popular Zemirah sung at the Shabbos morning meal. This song, without words, is sung in Skver on various occasions.
8) Boruch Kel Elyon– Another Zemirah we sing at Shalosh Seudos, the third Shabbos meal. A lilting, lyrical waltz.
9) Adir Ayom – A beautiful song from the Melaveh Malkah meal, accompanying out the Shabbos Queen.

For hundreds of years, Russia was home to millions of chassidic Jews who enjoyed a dynamic and vibrant culture. A combination of anti-semitic decrees and pogroms, the Haskalah, the Communist Revolution, World War I, the Nazi invasion and Stalinist persecutions forced these Jews to flee, be slaughtered, or assimilate. Today, those chassidic dynasties that survived have developed centers in Israel and America. But many treasures of that period remain buried, yet to be discovered and revived.

The Jews of Russia and Ukraine created a rich musical tradition spanning centuries. Many of these melodies are still sung today, but many more have been lost to posterity. Most of the niggunim in this collection were transcribed by a Russian Jewish  musicologist who traveled to the shtetlach and recorded the villagers on Edison wax cylinders. These songs are presented here in instrumental arrangements featuring Chassidic fiddle, that help capture the energy and spirit of the times and environment that produced them.

Reb Shaya Tzaddikim Album Demo by Reb Shaya

The foundation of the Chassidic movement is the concept of the Tzaddik, the leader of each particular group who elevates and inspires his followers to higher spiritual levels. Chassidus is also unique in its emphasis on music as a means of serving G-d.

The cornerstone of the Chassidic movement is the Tzaddik, the leader and sage who connects his followers to Hashem and brings down His blessings into the world.

Some of these rebbes were also very talented composers of Chassidic melodies, and these songs are especially treasured for their depth and beauty. Some are familiar throughout the Jewish world, and some are known only to a limited group. This album presents a full hour of these masterpieces, in a contemporary arrangement that we hope brings out the true dynamic of these powerful, deep melodies. We hope listening to them will be an inspiring and elevating experience.

In this album, we have drawn from a number of these songs, attributed to some of the most famous tzaddikim, all the way back to the Baal Shem Tov himself, the founder of the movement. (Sometimes there is disagreement about exactly who composed them, since this is a totally oral tradiction.) Others were created by some of the first leaders: the Mezritcher Maggid (successor to the Baal Shem Tov), his students Reb Shmelke of Nikolsburg, the Koznitzer Maggid and the Baal Hatanya (the “Alter Rebbe” of Lubavitch), and his son Reb Avrohom the Malach (“the Angel”). The most recent lived during the first half of the 20th century: Reb Yisroel of Modzitz (whose musical tradition is extremely rich to this day), and Reb BenTzion of Bobov (who died in the Holocaust). Others included here include Reb Moshe of Kubrin and the celebrating Reb Yisroel of Rizhin, both from the early 19th century.

Here are some responses from viewers:

““Gorgeous artwork, beautiful music, and powerful message!” – Avrohom Loewenthal, Kabbalah artist, Tzfas

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“In Rabbi Guttman’s DVD on the Nikkudah I found the teaching of who I am, for real – in essence, given over with depth, precision, and beauty.  I even saw the message of this video illustrated in the stunning artwork that is uniquely Tzfat – everything is moving and alive/holy.  I even heard/felt the same true message through the music – pure sounds and melodies revealing the bare Jewish soul. I believe that the more we can integrate the ideas in this video, the closer we move towards redemption, both individually and as a nation.  It’s where we have to go.

“It’s so fitting that this work of Torah comes out of Tzfat – a land, in my experience, that radiates humility = awareness of HaSh-m as One = ain od milvado.” –  Sarah S.
Ramat Beit Shemesh

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“When I saw the presentation, I felt like this is exactly what I need right now. This is life, this is what’s it’s all about. Nothing else is important.

“It just grabbed me and I was so taken in by the sounds and sights. It meets you where you’re holding now; next year if I see it again, I’ll probably see something else in it.

“It’s simple, but so deep and profound at the same time. If you’re ever upset, just watch it and you’ll get to your “happy place.” Everyone will get something different form it depending where they’re at.

“It’s the epitome of Tzfat.” – Shira S., Tzfat