Dance With Shliach and Son to Yomtov Niggun

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Shmuli Stiefel, a Shliach in Lipetsk, Russia, has been producing videos of various Jewish melodies and prayers which are sung in synagogues the world over.

Each week, Stiefel releases one song from the prayer book in a format conducive to singing along. The video is captioned, so “listeners can learn the songs so that they can sing in together with the congregation and turn their synagogues into that same beautiful and inspiring atmosphere!” he says.

This week, in the 7th video of the series, Stiefel presents the prayer “Atah v’chartanu.”

For a number of years, after dancing Hakafot on the holiday of Simchat Torah, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, would teach a new melody or to revive an old one. On Simchat Torah 1960, he introduced the song “Atah V’chartonu”.

In this prayer, we express our gratitude that Hashem selected us to fulfill His will, thereby drawing us closer to Him. This tune itself demonstrates two paths to achieve this.

The song is composed of two distinct melodies. The full text of the prayer is sung using the first melody. It is then repeated fully with the second melody.

The straight, tranquil tones of the first melody expresses the unburdened life of the Tzadik (righteous one), who lives a serene existence with a clear moral sense and spiritual satisfaction.

In contrast, the stormy, repetitive tones of the second melody express the deep feelings of remorse of the Baal Teshuva, the repentant one.

The Ba’al Teshuva, despite his current sincerity and passion, struggles to separate himself from his past. He strives to establish a strong and truthful connection with G-d. He knows the pain of separation and therefore thirsts even more than the tzaddik for a relationship with G-d.

For this reason, we sing the first melody and don’t go back to it. This represents the tzaddik, who is calm and secure in his relationship with G-d. In contrast, the tune of the second melody has no ending. This represents the Ba’al Teshuva, who is never content. He seeks perpetual spiritual growth and relationship with G-d.

May this song inspire us to strengthen our service of G-d, despite our fallibility. True, we aren’t perfect. But that is exactly the impetus for our passion to become better, more G-dly people.

Atah v’chartanu mikol ha’amim, ahavta osanu v’ratzisa banu, v’romamtanu mikol halshonos, v’kidashtanu b’mitzvosecha, v’keiravtanu malkeinu la’avodasecha, v’shimcha hagadol v’hakadosh alleinu karaso.

Translation:
You chose us from all the nations, You loved us and wanted us. You elevated us over all tongues and sanctified us with Your commandments. You, our King, brought us closer to Your service. You proclaimed upon us Your great and holy name.

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To donate to the Shlichus in Lipetsk, or to sponsor a video please contact Rabbi Shmuli Stiefel at [email protected] or donate at: https://fjc-fsu.org/centers/russia/lipetsk/