The story behind the Shabbos Kodesh Nigun

For those of you who were wondering where this catchy niggun came from, here is the true story.

The year was 5767. It was Purim once again and Rabbi Moshe Bamberger Shlita (Mashgiach Ruchani of Beis Medrash L'Talmud in Queens, N.Y.) was having his annual Purim seudah with some of his closest talmidim. The atmosphere was full of simcha, the food was exquisite, and the niggunim were leibidik.

Suddenly, Rabbi Bamberger motioned for the olam to quiet down. He had something to share. "Rabosai", he started. "A few months ago, me and my son, Shlomo Zalman, began to compose a beautiful niggun". "However," Rabbi Bamberger continued, "we have a problem. The niggun is still not complete. We were only able to compose the first part of the niggun and we need to compose the second part."

The talmidim were all listening very intently to their Rebbi. "Rabosai", he continued, "we are going to complete this niggun right here, right now." A silence passed over the crowd as all of the talmidim were wondering what their Rebbi had in mind. "I will teach you all the low part and we will sing it a few times." "Then, once we all know it and have commited it to memory somebody here will compose the next part." And so it went. Rabbi Bamberger taught his talmidim the low part of the niggun. The talmidim were mesmerized by its beauty.

Finally, Rabbi Bamberger motioned once again for silence. "Rabosai", he announced, "we will sing the low part together once again, but this time around, when we sing through it twice, Reb Dovid will sing the high part." A look of shock spread across the face of Dovid Yudkowitz (the Av Bayis of Beis Medrash L'talmud) . He was clearly nervous, but at the same time he was ready for the task at hand.

And just like that the olam began to sing the low part once again. As the moment approached Dovid closed his eyes and and let his entire being relax. And then, "Shabbos Kodesh, Shabbos Kodesh, Shabbos Kodesh, Shabbos Shabbos Kodesh." The olam was amazed. It was the perfect fit. They sang the niggun over and over again that Purim in sheer enjoyment and simcha.

With the Shabbos Kodesh Niggun complete, all that was left was to record it for the rest of the world to hear. Enter Marc Levine (of The Nochi Krohn Band fame). Approximately a year and a half after the Shabbos Kodesh Niggun was composed, Marc Levine and Dovid Yudkowitz sat down and arranged and recorded the beautiful niggun. Marc even composed a beautiful musical intro to make the niggun even more complete. Thanks to Marc's amazing musical talents and editing skills, the Shabbos Kodesh Niggun was produced in professional quality for all to hear.

And that my friends is the story behind the niggun. Enjoy!!!

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