Chaim Dovid - Yamamai - HASC 17

The joy of holiness, and the holiness of joy
Chaim Dovid Saracik, famous for his niggun "Yamamai", in musical personal prayer in the hills of Jerusalem

Rebbe Nachman of Breslev teaches that music originates from the upper portals of Heaven. He also teaches that one can't attain true joy in life without holiness. Joy is holiness and holiness is joy. In that music has such a lofty source, it has the power of elevating a person to phenominal spiritual heights, especially music played by a joyful and upright musician. Music, joy, and holiness together create an upward spiritual spiral that is capable of uplifting a person from depression and despair, especially when reinforced with extensive personal prayer.

I often incorporate music into my personal prayers. Oftentimes, when I'm at a loss for words, I sing to Hashem or hum a niggun, a melody. My favorite melodies come from fellow Breslevers such as Yisrael Dagan, Guy Tzvi Mintz, Menachem Herman, Yosef Kardoner, or Avraham Abutbul. Still, one of the melodies in the Brody Hitbodedut Top Ten is undoubtedly my dear friend Chaim Dovid's niggun, know popularly as "Yam-a-mai". Chaim Dovid's phenominal humility results from his holiness and joy, both of which are so very apparent in "Yam-a-mai"