Chabad niggunim

The second Rebbe, Dovber Schneuri, distinguished between mainstream Hasidic emotional "enthusiasm" in worship, that is fostered outwards, and the Chabad ideal of inwardly created "ecstasy".

His "Tract on Ecstasy", an unusually personal mystical account in Judaism, guides the follower in the meditative stages of the Chabad approach to Dveikus (fervour).

In classic Chabad thought, externally inspired emotional worship is considered a distracting path from deeper content, though this idealistic aim requires time to contemplate that may not always be available.

In the present generation, more emphasis has been given in Chabad to outreach, though the classic ideal is venerated in legendary accounts of Hasidim, told in Farbrengen gatherings.

Chabad Rebbes told of two characteristic categories of follower, the "Oveid" who seeks practical Divine "service" from their mystical inspiration, and the "Maskil" whose first aim is deeper understanding of Hasidic thought.

One renowned story both cautions against mixing the two necessary aspects, and also playfully recommends not to be overly concerned by their overlap: A well known Hasid was filling out the company accounts at work.

In Hasidic philosophy, such as explained in the third section of the Tanya, Teshuvah does not only involve repentance and rectification of previous spiritual faults.

Rather, as the Baal Shem Tov taught, even perfectly righteous Tzadikim should return to God, in the higher Teshuvah of continual ascent in holiness.

On auspicious days in the Jewish calendar, the main niggun of each Rebbe is sung in Hasidic gatherings in successive order.