Idelsohn felt the wordless Niggun needed lyrics to match the celebratory mood. He selected a few lines from , emphasizing "rejoicing" and "gladness": Hava nagila (Let us rejoice) V’nism’cha (And be glad)
Today, the "original" spirit of the song remains a testament to resilience—taking a prayer from a small Ukrainian village and turning it into a universal call for joy. Hava Nagila Original
The song’s "original" modern form was born in during a period of immense historical shift. Following the Balfour Declaration and the British capture of Jerusalem from the Ottoman Empire, the local Jewish community wanted to celebrate. Idelsohn felt the wordless Niggun needed lyrics to