Niggun of Four Stanzas

The Niggun of Four Stanzas or the Niggun of Daled Bavos ("Niggun of Four Gates"), is a wordless tune of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidim, composed by the first Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi.[1]

The Niggun of Four Stanzas is of a slower tempo and in a minor key, characteristic of meditative "dveikus niggunim." However, while serious in nature, it is not necessarily intended to be a sad song.[2] Rather, the niggun is intended to lift the singer and the listener to each of the four spiritual worlds of Asiyah, Yetzirah, Beriah and Atzilus, and in fact, the four sections of the niggun correspond to these four worlds. It holds a special place among Chabad niggunim, and is only sung at special occasions, such as during the High Holidays, Yud-Tes Kislev and weddings.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Daled Bavos An annotated video of Chabad Hasidim in 770 Eastern Parkway, singing the Niggun of Four Stanzas in celebration of Yud-Tes Kislev. Recorded 19 Kislev 5745, 13 December 1984. At 2:43, they change from the wordless Niggun of Four Stanzas and begin to sing "Nye Zhuritsi Chloptzi," a different niggun.
  2. ^ More of the Alter Rebbe's Instructions. R. Chaim Dalfin comments on dveikus niggunim.
  3. ^ Melody of Four Stanzas A clarinet rendition of the Niggun of Four Stanzas. Also has the sheet music.
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