Track 1:
Naitzay Hasadeh נצא השדה
The Medrash says all the days of the week had a partner except for Shabbos. Hashem told Shabbos, “Klal Yisroel will be your zivug, your match.” The Maharsha says, the Shabbos Queen is a queen because she is married to Klal Yisrael… and we are royalty because we are the children of Hashem!
The heiligeh Arizal would go out to the fields with his holy chevraya to greet the Shabbos Queen – unbridled by physical or spiritual walls. Grab another Yid, and go out; leave your weekday stuff behind, and come greet Shabbos HaMalka!
Track 2:
Lost Sheep
We wander, trip and fall like lost sheep, calling out to our Father. However, we never forget the mitzvos. We never forget who we really are. And even if we think we do… our Shepherd never forgets us. We are lost… only when we let go of You. And if we do… You are always, alwaysactively looking for us, helping us come home.
Track 3:
The Holiest Yid in the World
This niggun is based on a story of Reb Mendel Futerfas, the famous Lubavitcher mashpia. He was once sitting with his Chassidim. He asked them, Who is the holiest Yid in the world, at the holiest time, in the holiest place? They answered, of course, it’s the Kohein Gadol, on Yom Kippur, in the Kodesh Kodoshim. Reb Mendel said, “No. The holiest Yid in the world is you! The holiest place is wherever you are! And the holiest time is now – whenever you are.
Track 4:
Lama Nigora למה נגרע
The Yidden in the Midbar who were tamei for the Korban Pesach in Mitzrayim had no recourse. They had missed it. Messed up. Done. Yet they wanted it so badly, they turned to Hashem and asked “Lama Nigara? Why should we miss out?” Hashem saw their deep desire for closeness and acquiesced to their request. Our Tzadikim say – it was this wanting a second chance that made the opportunity available. When we feel far away – we need to know His door is open wide, and he is waiting for us to call out with everything we have.
Track 5:
One Place
Rav Yehuda HaLevi famously said many years ago, “Libi b’Mizrach va’ani b’sof Maarav.” My heart is in the East, in Yerushalayim, although I am as physically as far away as I could be, in the West. Our hearts pound just for a small breath of Yerushalayim’s holy air, to see the dust of Yerushalayim, to feel its stones. Deep in the heart of every Yid is one simple ratzon. It’s been a long time. Bring us home, today!
Track 6:
Rebbi I Want To Learn
It might sound like a cliche, but in essence, it’s the opposite – the most authentic, sincere, true cry of all. “Rebbi, I want to learn!”, the perpetual chorus of Purim – it’s the secret that comes out when wine comes in, the desperate yearning of young men to be more, to climb higher, to reach further. It’s the song of hidden ga’aguim. Even if the choices a person makes during the year don’t always make the innate desire of the neshamah clear, this is the niggun that expresses that perpetual hope. A Gantz Yahr Peerim – the cry of Rebbi I Want To Learn, is an everyday Avodah, all year round.
Track 7:
Ashrei Anoshecha-אשרי אנשיך
The Malka Sh’va (The Queen of Sheba) visited Shlomo HaMelech and was blown away by his chochma. Before she left, she expressed her awe and uttered these words: “How lucky are those who are near you all the time, even simple servants in your house; by being in your vicinity, they learn so much chochma!” So often we sing songs of praise for our Rebbes and Tzadikim. Do we ever think of how lucky WE are? Ashreinu! Dedicated in honor of our Rebbe, Harav Yussie Zakutinsky shlita.
Track 8:
Melech Haolam -מלך העולם
We know Hashem is the King of the World. He is there in every breath and every step we take. And on that great day, the whole world will know! We daven in Yom Tov Mussaf, “Galei kavod Malchuscha – Reveal the glory of Your Malchus” – so the whole world can see! This niggun is an invitation to dance in that world of Moshiach even today – and simply enjoy being children of the King, as we wait for the day the whole joins along! We can tap into seeing Hashem’s Malchus at any moment – it is everywhere and in everything!
TRACK 9:
Katonti – קטנתי
Yaakov Avinu comes to the Yarden on his way back home from Lavan’s house. He pauses, looks up, and thanks Hashem: The last time I was here, robbed of everything by my nephew, on the run from my murderous brother, I had nothing but my stick. Now, I’m back. I have the Shivtei Kah, wealth, and so much more. Thank You Hashem! This is a very deep tool for us to use to thank Hashem. The first time you were here—at this place, at this river, this time of year—it may not have been easy. You may have had only a stick. But look around… and thank Hashem. I humbly thank You, Hashem, for all the chessed You do, will do, and have done for me.
Track 10-11:
A Thousand Years
In Nishmas we exclaim: “Even if the oceans were ink…we would never have enough time to thank Hashem for even a thousandth of a thousandth of the things He has done for us, for our parents and our Avos since the beginning of time!” Originally written by the great Yitzy Bald and recorded by Mendy Wald, this niggun has always resonated with me, and I play it almost everywhere I go. This version was brought to the world by a Tzadik whom I humbly call my Rebbe, Rav Efraim Wachsman shlita. Reb Chaim Ghoori brought his own insane energy to this track – there are no words. Thank You Hashem!
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 42.
