Ani m'amin

"Ani Ma'amin" gained profound significance during the Holocaust. Also known as the 'Varshever geto-lid fun frumer yidn' (Song of religious Jews in the Warsaw ghetto), the song 'Ani M'amin' (I believe) takes its Hebrew words from Maimonedes' Thirteen Articles of Faith. It is a declaration of faith and certainty that redemption will come in the form of the Messiah, even though he may delay. It is frequently performed at Holocaust commemoration ceremonies.

Rabbi Shaul Yedidya Elazar Taub (1886-1947) led a Hasidic community in Poland that was known for its deep musical traditions. As Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939, the Jewish population faced increasing persecution. Rabbi Taub managed to escape, first to Lithuania, then through Russia and China, finally arriving in the United States in 1940. 

Among Taub's followers was Azriel David Fastag, a noted singer in Warsaw. Fastag was known for composing religious melodies that were highly appreciated by Rabbi Taub and the religious community. Many Polish Jews, including Fastag, were subjected to ghettoization and deportation to concentration camps. During his transport to Treblinka, Fastag, affected by the dire circumstances, composed a melody for the words of "Ani Ma'amin." Despite the horrific conditions in the cattle car, Fastag began to sing his composition. The melody spread among the prisoners, with many joining in the singing.

According to one account, Fastag, aware of his likely fate, pleaded for someone to bring the melody to Rabbi Taub. Out of two young men who attempted to escape the train to preserve the song, one was killed instantly from the fall but the other survived and managed to transmit the melody, eventually reaching Rabbi Taub in New York.

Upon receiving the melody, Rabbi Taub recognized its profound significance. He is reported to have said that the song shook the foundations of the world and that it would be remembered as a plea for divine mercy. The rabbi began incorporating the melody into Yom Kippur services, where it elicited strong emotional responses from congregants.

The "Ani Ma'amin" melody, born in the depths of suffering during the Holocaust, became a powerful symbol of Jewish faith and resilience. Its journey from a death train to synagogues worldwide exemplifies how music and spirituality intertwined to provide hope and strength during one of history's darkest periods. Today, the song continues to be sung in Jewish communities, serving as a poignant reminder of the Holocaust and a testament to the enduring nature of faith.

Nine versions of this song can be listened to from the Jewish Music Archive at SaveTheMusic.com

Sources

Yitzchak Dorfman, Ani Ma'amin, chabag.org accessed 30/09/2024