The Nigun Tzom'o 5714: Part II

00:00 Behemshech to the earlier installment in regards to the Niggan Tzamelcha Nafshi, which the Rebbe taught on Shabbos Parsha Kedoshim Tov Shin Yud Dalet seventy years ago. We continue now with installment number two, discussing additional aspects in regards to the Niggan and the times that it was sung over the years during the Fabrengens. The Rebbe himself would begin singing the Niggan, and then Chassidim would repeat the first section, the second section, Tzamelcha Nafshi, then Kein Bakedesh Chazi Sicha. In a Sicha of Simchas Teyre Tov Shin Chav Beis, late 1961, it was then that a few Chassidim were present by the Rebbe from Russia. They came out of Russia, and the Rebbe then spoke a Sicha in regards to our brethren in Russia behind the Iron Curtain, that all the negative things, the negative aspects should be converted to good. And the Rebbe followed by saying that it's mentioned in Chassidus, the Pirosh HaBashem Tev, on the Pasit, Tzamelcha Nafshi VeGeimer Kein Bakedesh Chazi Sicha. That Tzamelcha Nafshi, my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you, like one in a desolate and dry land without water. So the Bashem Tev explains, Kein Bakedesh Chazi Sicha means Halevai, hopefully Bakedesh Chazi Sicha, I should have that thirst that I have when I find myself in a desolate and dry land. I should have that also while I am already in my destination, which is Kadesh. I am already in a sacred place, and there's no need to yearn yet. Nevertheless, Halevai, I should have that appreciation,

02:21 that thirst and desire when I have already also reached Kadesh. And the Rebbe continues, the same is also in regards to us, that we should have this great thirst and desire as the Yidden in Russia have at all times. The Rebbe began singing the Niggan Tzamelcha Nafshi, and everyone present at a Fabrengen sang after him, stanza after stanza, part after part of the Niggan. Over the years, as mentioned, the Rebbe would sing the Niggan quite often. And we also find that some of these occasions were on Rosh Hashanah, during the Fabrengen which took place at the close of the Yom Tov, Rosh Hashanah Tov Shin Chavov, which is late 1965, Rosh Hashanah Tov Shin Lamed, which is late 1969, and Rosh Hashanah Tov Shin Lamed Hey, which is late 1974. The Rebbe would sing this Niggan on different occasions, different situations, primarily in regards to Yidden in Russia, and at times also situations that were taking place then in the world, B'negeat Eretz Yisroel, B'negeat Yidden. In Tov Shin Lamed Beis, when a group of Yidden, a big kutza, came from Eretz Yisroel, which they have arrived right before that from Russia, so they came here late 1971 for Tishrei, the Rebbe sang that Niggan then also. Likewise, the Rebbe sang the Niggan Tov Shin Lamed Zayin in 1977, Chai Elul, a month before Shemini Atzeres, when the Rebbe had the heart condition. In Tov Shin Mem Tes, which is Lech Lecha late 1988, the Rebbe concludes his talk, one of the Sichas in the

04:54 Fabrengen, regarding the transition period coming out from the month of Tishrei and entering the month of Cheshvan, which is from one extreme to another, being that Chodesh Tishrei is a month full of Yomim Tevim, and Chodesh Cheshvan is exactly the opposite. There aren't any Yomim Tevim, very simple month, a month of work, etc. So the Rebbe says, therefore, they should then sing the Niggan Tov Shin Lamed Zayin. Tzamelcha Nafshi. They should sing Tzamelcha Nafshi, which stresses the thirst, the yearning, the desire, because of this transition from the month of Tishrei to the month of Cheshvan. And the Rebbe continues that there is an opinion that this Niggan is from the Alter Rebbe.