Niggun Shamil
Encyclopedia
This niggun was taught by rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson
the Lubavitcher
Rebbe on Simchat Torah
in 1959 or 5719/1958 . The tune is associated with the Avar
tribal leader Imam Shamil
and is used by the Hasidim to represent the soul's desire to free itself of the body's physical pleasures.
against the Russians. His guerilla warfare tactics conducted from mountainous terrain held the Russians at bay for many years, but in 1859, the situation became dire. He had only 400 or so loyal followers left. The Russians surrounded Shamil's stronghold of Gounib, and out of consideration for his and his followers' families, he surrendered to the Russians.
Hasidim
, this niggun (tune) represents Shamil's strong desire to escape his imprisonment and return to his previous freedom. It parallels the soul's desire to escape its imprisonment in the body's physical pleasures and return to its Source by performing Mitzvot
and learning Torah
.
Menachem Mendel Schneerson
Menachem Mendel Schneerson , known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe or just the Rebbe among his followers, was a prominent Hasidic rabbi who was the seventh and last Rebbe of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. He was fifth in a direct paternal line to the third Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, Menachem Mendel...
the Lubavitcher
Chabad
Chabad or Chabad-Lubavitch is a major branch of Hasidic Judaism.Chabad may also refer to:*Chabad-Strashelye, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism*Chabad-Kapust or Kapust, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism...
Rebbe on Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah or Simḥath Torah is a celebration marking the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle...
in 1959 or 5719/1958 . The tune is associated with the Avar
Caucasian Avars
Avars or Caucasian Avars are a modern people of Caucasus, mainly of Dagestan, in which they are the predominant group. The Caucasian Avar language belongs to the Northeast Caucasian language family ....
tribal leader Imam Shamil
Imam Shamil
Imam Shamil also spelled Shamyl, Schamil, Schamyl or Shameel was an Avar political and religious leader of the Muslim tribes of the Northern Caucasus...
and is used by the Hasidim to represent the soul's desire to free itself of the body's physical pleasures.
Shamil
From 1834-1859, Imam Shamil was the Muslim Avar leader of the Caucasian resistanceCaucasian War
The Caucasian War of 1817–1864, also known as the Russian conquest of the Caucasus was an invasion of the Caucasus by the Russian Empire which ended with the annexation of the areas of the North Caucasus to Russia...
against the Russians. His guerilla warfare tactics conducted from mountainous terrain held the Russians at bay for many years, but in 1859, the situation became dire. He had only 400 or so loyal followers left. The Russians surrounded Shamil's stronghold of Gounib, and out of consideration for his and his followers' families, he surrendered to the Russians.
Hasidic interpretation
To the ChabadChabad
Chabad or Chabad-Lubavitch is a major branch of Hasidic Judaism.Chabad may also refer to:*Chabad-Strashelye, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism*Chabad-Kapust or Kapust, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism...
Hasidim
Hasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism or Hasidism, from the Hebrew —Ḥasidut in Sephardi, Chasidus in Ashkenazi, meaning "piety" , is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that promotes spirituality and joy through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the fundamental aspects of the Jewish faith...
, this niggun (tune) represents Shamil's strong desire to escape his imprisonment and return to his previous freedom. It parallels the soul's desire to escape its imprisonment in the body's physical pleasures and return to its Source by performing Mitzvot
613 mitzvot
The 613 commandments is a numbering of the statements and principles of law, ethics, and spiritual practice contained in the Torah or Five Books of Moses...
and learning Torah
Torah study
Torah study is the study by Jewish people of the Torah, Hebrew Bible, Talmud, responsa, rabbinic literature and similar works, all of which are Judaism's religious texts...
.