To raise the spirits of Chassidim worldwide, Baal Menagen Rabbi Menachem M. Amar released the niggun ‘Mashinke”, composed by Reb Shalom Charitonov under trying times in Soviet Russia.
To raise the spirits of Chassidim worldwide, Baal Menagen Rabbi Menachem M. Amar released the niggun ‘Mashinke”, composed by Reb Shalom Charitonov under trying times in Soviet Russia.
“Mashinke,” (niggun 305 in Sefer Haniggunim) is a melody composed by Rabbi Shalom Charitonov who was one of the brothers of the Charitonov family of Nikolaev, who are famed for composing tens of niggunim.
This niggun, A mashinke, was composed by him several months before his passing. At that time – around 1933 – the Russian authorities banned shechita and Reb Shalom, who made a living as a shochet, remained without a source of livelihood.
In one of his attempts to find a job, he ordered a sewing machine. The chossid Reb Peretz Mochkin also ordered such a machine at the same time. However, only one machine came from the factory.
Bringing the matter to judgment, R’ Shalom decided to forgo his loss in favor of Reb Peretz Mochkin, and needless to say, after all the hardship, he lost his only livelihood.
So, in his difficult physical condition, when he was heartbroken for the machine’s loss, (“a mashin’ke” in Yiddish), R’ Shalom composed this tune.
What does “bringing the matter to judgment” mean?
R’ Sholom was mevater? Didn’t the rov pasken in R’ Peretz’ favor?
When did he compose the nigun, before or after the psak din?