9. Rejoicing Niggun of Lubavich Hasidim

^{Group of Hasidim at a hitva'adut, Kefar Habbad, 28 January 1969.}

A "rejoicing tune" to be sung (not danced) at hitva'aduyot during the meal. The hitva'adut (Hebrew for "gathering") of Lubavich Hasidim together with the Rebbe (equivalent to the Tish in other Hasidic groups) includes a feast, profuse drinking, singing of niggunim alternating with the Rebbe's talk, sometimes also with dancing. At the high point of the occasion, the Rebbe delivers a talk known as "Ma'amar Hasidut" (literally: Hasidic saying or utterance); everything else said by the Rebbe is known as "sihot" (literally: conversations). Unlike other communities, Lubavich Hasidim also hold hitva'aduyot on purely social occasions. When I came to Kefar Habbad, near Lod, in 1969 for my first recording project with the Lubavich Hasidim, they held a special hitva'adut in my honor in one of the village houses. Light refreshments were served, including alcoholic beverages, and a few niggunim were sung. The "sihot" interspersed with the singing included explanations of the niggunim, or Hasidic stories from which one could learn their significance. Only later did the Hasidim ask me the purpose of my visit, answer my questions and sing niggunim at my request.