A Mashinkeh

This niggun, A Mashinkeh, was composed by Reb Sholom Charitonov several months before his passing.  At that time – around 1933 – the Russian authorities banned shechita and Reb Sholom, 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 the Beis Din, it was decided to be given to Reb Peretz Mochkin.

So, in his difficult physical condition, when he was heartbroken for the machine’s loss, (“a mashinkeh” in Yiddish), Reb Sholom composed this niggun.