A Heartfelt Elul Niggun From Rabbis Motti and Menachem Feldman

In honor of Chai Elul, Rabbis Motti and Menachem Feldman sing a heartfelt Elul niggun from lockdown in Sydney, Australia. This niggun is the 3rd in their lockdown series – the elul project – from the Dover Heights Shule.

“The words of this melody were traditionally sung during the most joyful time of the year, the Simchas Beis Hashoeiva in the Holy Temple,” they wrote. “Whilst this song is far from your typical dance-party track, our mystics explain that it is precisely during moments of intense joy and connection, that the soul has the power to rise above all limitations and achieve the highest levels of Teshuva.”

The duo released this Nigun in honor of ‘Chai Elul’, the birthday of Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shemtov founder of Chassidism, and of The Alter Rebbe, founder of the Chabad movement. It is an ancient Chassidic melody, sung at Farbrengens and at moments of great ‘Dveikus’ or yearning.

Chassidus teaches the inner meaning of the month of Elul and the Mitzva of Teshuva. Whilst loosely translated as ‘repentance’, Teshuva literally means ‘Return’. Whilst we need to feel regret for our past misdeeds, an integral part of the journey of Teshuva is reconnecting to our inner self and to Hashem. By doing so, we are granted forgiveness, and are able to unleash our true potential moving forward.

“Wishing you all a ‘Kesiva Vachasima Tova, LeShana Tova Umesuka’!”