Novardhoker niggunim

 

This notice recently appeared in Yated and Hamodia

The Novhardok Yeshiva movement was one of the largest, if not the largest such movement, in Eastern Europe pre-WWII. After the terrible churban, some remnants survived, notably in Eretz Yisroel, France, and the USA. Prominent gedolim of today with Novhardok connections include Rav Yitzchok Dov Koppelman of Lucerne, as well as Rav Yaakov Galinsky, and Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita. The movement did not regain its pre-war strength and size afterward, however.

Consequently, although many people, especially from the younger doros, have heard of Novhardok, they often lack comprehensive knowledge of the deep Torah and mussar spirituality that Novhardok stood for.

One of the aspects of Novhardok that is little known today, is the niggunei hisorerus of the movement.

Novhardok had special Yiddish niggunim, composed by Novhardoker leaders, such as Rav Nissan Bobruisker and Rav Dov Budnik zt"l, Hy"d, which were sung on various occasions for chizuk in avodas Hashem.

Recently, in Eretz Yisroel, a breakthrough has come about, in which an excellent, high-quality musical release, entitled 'Niggunei Hisorerus Novhardok', with thirteen tracks of Novhardoker niggunim, has been put out. The niggunim have been recorded in a modern, up-to-date fashion with modern technology and musical accomplishment, with a talented vocalist. Additionally, accompanying the musical release is a booklet of approximately sixty pages, comprising a foreword and lyrics of the songs in Yiddish, with Hebrew translation alongside, line by line, which can be used to follow the songs and better absorb their deeper meanings. There are also a few historical photographs of Novhardoker Yeshiva talmidim and hanholo on the packaging.

The songs shed light on the times from which they came, with references such as not bowing to the hammer and sickle (communist symbol), redifos hadas (religious persecutions), and crossing the border between Russia and Poland. Some of the songs reflect mussar beliefs and practices, at times specifically Novhardok ones. There is mention in one song, for example, of having a notebook with a pen, part of a mussar practice in which people worked on their middos, while another envisions baalei mussar without a measure when Moshiach comes. One song with fifteen parts, focuses on different middos and themes, among them hatovo, amitzus, histapkus, hashgocho, bitachon, zehirus, zikkui horabim, and teshuvoh. The songs vary, with some being slower and others more 'lebedig' (lively). One particularly lebedig song is 'Lebedig Yankel', which (in two versions) talks about when Moshiach will come. There is also a short song at the end sung by Rav Yaakov Galinsky shlit"a.

The release gives a feeling of what it was to be a Novhardoker in the old days and helps us understand the spiritual power of Novhardok, which helped it grow to have thousands of talmidim pre WWII.

One needn't be a Novhardoker talmid, or son, grandson, or great-grandson of one to appreciate and enjoy the recording. Anyone with a curiosity about, and gefil (feeling) for, the pre-WWII European Yeshiva world, should find it of interest. Even if your Yiddish is less than perfect, the line by line Hebrew translation make it possible for you to enjoy it as well.

It is available in both CD and cassette. For further information, call (718) 854-3481.

In our trying times, the spiritual strength such niggunim can offer is surely a welcome development. As we approach Kabbolas haTorah, niggunei hisorerus can help us and we can bring this forgotten aspect of pre WWII Yeshiva life back to life.

Comment:

I obtained the CD and really liked it. The Yiddish is crisp and the content is impressive and well transmitted.

I post the Yiddish of the first song with the English translation (from Meir Levin's book on Novarodok).

Download Translations
 

In order not to violate the copyright by singing the song in the original Yiddish and to encourage you to purchase the CD, I arranged to sing one paragraph Download English Novarodok song in the version of the melody that I had received, which is slightly different from the one on the CD.

Comments

[Micha]

The fact that it's a triumpant march is very telling.

Over in Slabodka, R' Avram Elya Kaplan had a penchant for writing anthems as well.

Is it just a sign of the times, or does it say something about the feel of the mussar movement in particular?

-micha

[Neil Harris]

Thank you for linking.
I think these recordings add a long-lost dimension to the mesorah of Mussar. If you have not had the zechus of beings near someone connected to Kelm, Slabodka, or Novardhok, the passion/feeling of true Mussar doesn't always translate or transfer on the written page.

[Litvak]

Dear Avakesh -

Thanks for the post, and your nice comments. I am the one who wrote the review.

I urge anyone interested to get their hands on it. It is of very high quality, in more ways than one. While the recording by Avakesh gives a small taste, the CD (or cassette) is a great deal stronger, as much is lost in translation, among other things.

I have exposed authorities to it and they were very impressed. Biezras Hashem, I hope more can/will be done to get more people exposed to it.

Parenthetically, I think there is a negative stereotype re Novhardokers that is making this harder. Namely, that they went into food stores (or was it drugstores asking for nails, and things like that. Some think of them as way out whackos, based on the above and other things they have heard. Personally, I wonder if the masses of Novhardoker students did such things. Perhaps just a relatively small number did.

Anyway, this new musical release has appeal to Yidden in general. Though there are Novhardok specific themes in some songs, overall, I would say that the release is 'shoveh lichol nesfesh' (having appeal to all). Even if some of the lyrics or songs have more narrow appeal, others touch on broader themes. So if what you read here has intrigued you and aroused your interest, check it out!

[Litvak]

P.S. Thanks to Neil and all the others helping spread the word!

[Dovid]

Is it possible to buy this CD, MP3 thru Internet or Galpaz or other shops etc. in Israel?

I live in Europe, that's why I am interested.

Thanx a lot

[Litvak]

Dovid -

Just saw your comment.

I don't think stores carry it, but who knows.

It was produced in Eretz Yisroel and there is a phone number for Eretz Yisroel in the booklet that accompanies the CD. I'm sure that if you would call the mispar telefon above, they would give you the EY number.

Where in Europe are you? France perhaps?

Hatzlocho!

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