Holy, Holy, Holy

These times are worrisome and threatening, with winds of hostility blowing from all directions. But when the chazzan lifts his voice in Kedushah, the outside world seems to melt away. It’s Shabbos, you’re in shul, and really, all any of us can do is pray and sing. Like the angels on high, we stand together in praise of Hashem, knowing we can rely on Him alone.

What’s your go-to niggun for Kedushah, to help get to that very special place?

AVRUMI BERKO

Until Mashiach comes

Any song with a three-quarter time signature works really nicely for Shacharis, for example, “Venikeisi” by Reb Eli Teitelbaum and Yisroel Lamm, or the “Achas Shoalti” composed by Zalman Wald. Those fit in perfectly with the words and are well-known so that everyone sings along, which of course makes it a lot nicer. The prime favorites of baalei tefillah nowadays are “Acheinu” and “Ani Maamin,” which is nice, too — we’ll be singing those songs until Mashiach is actually here, bekarov mamash. Believe it or not, in the shul where I daven, one baal tefillah sang the fast song “Ki Hirbeisa” for the Mimkomcha part of Kedushah. Definitely got everyone’s attention, and anyone who wasn’t awake yet after the mikveh or after saying Nishmas was awake then.”

SHLOMO SIMCHA

Try it out

Every baal tefillah knows that he can rely on Shlomo Carlebach’s vintage “Mimkomcha,” which is not going anywhere any time soon. Another one I go to is Abie Rotenberg’s “Shema Koleinu” niggun, for “Hu Elokeinu” in Mussaf. And the most original tune that I’ve tried is “Forever One.” Try it!

RABBI SHLOIME TAUSSIG

Keep the davening geshmak

In addition to having a shul, I daven and sing at a lot of Shabbos programs for simchahs and yeshivah getaways, so I have had to come up with a variety of options to keep the davening geshmak and appreciated by everybody. If I have to pick out one specific go-to, it would probably be the vintage Pirchei “Ani Maamin,” which works perfectly. One of the most original options I’ve used is singing Kedushah to the tune of “Mikolos Mayim Rabim.”

YOSSI SONNENBLICK

Staying classic

I usually go with the more traditional, classic tunes. Here are some of my favorites:
Abie Rotenberg’s “Ani Maamin” (Dveykus 4), Abie’s “Haben Yakir Li” (Dveykus 3), and “Eilecha” (Pirchei Sings Vol II). As of late, Abie’s “Acheinu” seems very appropriate, so we’re singing that.