Disclaimer: For Chassidim this song wasn’t about drinking, it’s a metaphor for the thirst Chassidim have for the Rebbe’s teaching and invigorating inspiration.
(It’s especially appropriate this week, as Columbus Day Weekend falls on Parshat Lech-Lecha, which tells of G-d telling Abraham to travel to an unknown land).
NYE ZHURITZI CHLOPTZI
A Russian (or Ukranian?) Drinking Song adopted by Chabad Chassidim and became a very popular Niggun:
Nye zhuritzi chloptzi shtoh s’nami budyet mi paydim nah karchunki tam ee vodka budyet.
Translation:
“Don’t worry fellows what will be, soon we will reach the – kretchma – (inn) and there we will have plenty vodka to drink.”
It’s a joyous melody, a lively Niggun that starts slow and builds momentum. It dates from the time of the second Chabad Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe (early 1800’s). Originally sung by his Chassidim as they traveled the road to Lubavitch on their way to visit the Rebbe. Symbolically, the words reveal the thirst of Chassidim to drink of their Rebbe’s teachings. When they arrive at Lubavitch (the “inn”), they will have what plenty of refreshing, invigorating Torah to drink.
This song was sometimes sung at the conclusion of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Farbrengen, with gusto and enthusiasm. It often came at the conclusion of series of heartfelt and soulful melodies.
Once the Rebbe said: “Obviously, the Russian peasants weren’t satisfied that there will be plenty of Vodka at the end of the journey. They also took a little bit along for the way, to sip from until they got there. And the same ought to be with Chassidim, we must drink along the way from the refreshing waters of Torah – even as we are journeying to spiritual destination.”
Sometimes students might think: “This summer I’ll be in Jerusalem”, or “on the weekends I go to Shabbos House…” True, those spiritual “destinations” offer a lot of spiritual “drink”. But we can’t rely on that alone. We must also keep a little “drink” with us, along the way, to tide us over, to give us what it takes to get there.